In the local area and beyond, you can find graduates of the HFM Career and Technical Center working in just about every industry and career field. CTE Alumni Spotlight will introduce you to some of our many graduates highlighting the pathways their education and training helped make possible.
Meet CTE alumni AJ Dorman
AJ is a 2021 Gloversville graduate who turned a two-week senior internship with a local company into a full-time time job right out of high school.
During high school, AJ completed the Auto Body Repair program at the HFM Career and Technical Center. During their senior years, HFM students complete a two-week internship working with local employers in their chosen career fields. AJ completed his senior internship with Mohawk Collision Center in Scotia.
That internship blossomed into a job offer, and AJ began working full-time with Mohawk Collision in July 2021 as a detailer.
As a detailer, AJ pre-washes vehicles before repairs are started, buffs/compounds and polishes painted vehicles and cleans vehicle interiors and exteriors before they are returned to customers. He also works with other departments as needed.
He’s also working towards becoming an auto body technician, and Mohawk Collision pays for his training.
“The Career and Technical Center helped me develop the skills that I use daily at my job. My internship at Mohawk Collision Center gave me the confidence to know that I can do the work,” AJ said. “It’s a great opportunity to go to CTC because they teach you how to work with your hands and to understand ways to do the repairs. I didn’t miss a beat when I went from school to the real world at my job. CTC gave me such a great opportunity to start my career and get my foot in the door with an awesome company.”
AJ said for the future he’s focused on continuing to learn and being the best body technician that he can. Someday, he says, maybe he’ll open a shop of his own or manage one.
