CCBC Alumnus, General Studies
Lost at university, Mike found clarity and purpose through CCBC’s wide-ranging, affordable classes.
Some are born knowing what they want to be when they grow up; others need more time. Mike Prebil assumed he was in the first group. With a knack for history, foreign languages and composition, enrolling in a humanities program at McGill University made perfect sense. However, by his third year, he faced a moment of reckoning.
"I took history, French, philosophy, psychology, religion, economics, he recalled. I couldn't really focus on one thing. Putting his bachelor’s degree on hold, Prebil returned to Towson, Maryland, to recalibrate. While working at a bike repair shop, he satisfied his intellectual curiosity by taking classes part-time at CCBC.
Initially delving into subjects of interest like Arabic and welding, he eventually began to step outside his comfort zone. It was an introductory programming class with strict assignments and deadlines that transformed how he approached learning and perceived himself.
Returning to where I started felt like things had really come full circle.
“I learned that if it’s not easy, the challenge will keep me engaged, he shared. He also discovered that he didn’t have to box himself into the humanities. These epiphanies led him to enroll in more computer and math classes at CCBC.
With renewed determination, Prebil returned to McGill, completed his degree and spent a decade in education policy. Now, he is enjoying a newer role in cybersecurity and pursuing a master's in applied math and statistics at Hunter College in New York City. He utilizes the analytical skills he honed at CCBC in both. Looking back, his roots are never far from his mind.
He recently represented his company at a cybersecurity event held at CCBC Essex. “Returning to where I started felt like things had really come full circle, he reflected.
Prebil's journey underscores CCBC's role in fostering self-discovery and skill development. His story exemplifies the rewards of pursuing diverse interests in an affordable and varied educational environment.