Sometimes, all it takes to set you on the right path in life is an enthusiastic teacher. It was certainly true for Justin Naclerio.

During his sophomore year at Somers High School, Naclerio attended the PNW BOCES Career and Technical Education Center Open House, where he met engineering teacher Carlo Vidrini.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Naclerio is now a test supervisor with General Dynamics Electric Boat, the primary builder of submarines for the United States Navy.

“Vidrini impressed me with all the hands-on work we would be doing,” Justin said. “Rather than sitting in a classroom all day, I saw that I would be doing real engineering.”

Justin attended The Tech Center’s New Visions Engineering program his junior and senior years while continuing to participate fully in activities at Somers High School. He was a three-season athlete, running track and cross-country.

“It was good to stay involved at school and easy to get back for practice.”

He graduated in 2014 and headed to the Stevens Institute of Technology, one of the oldest technological universities in the United States. After working three internships in college, he chose to pursue civil engineering.

“I wanted to go into the more structural side of things,” he said.

Justin says his BOCES experience prepared him well for the transition to college. “It was easier for me than for kids coming from traditional high schools,” he said.

He also liked being with the same group of students all day, all studying calculus, physics, economics, gym and shop together.

“I’m still regularly in touch with my friends from BOCES, all of whom have careers in engineering,” he said.

Currently a test supervisor on submarines, Justin said he wasn’t sure where he wants his career to go next but he wants to stay with shipbuilding.

“I want to stay here for a while and learn, because they are such complex machines. But I may look to management or government.”