Zachary Tahenakos, a senior in the engineering program at Drexel at Burlington County College (BCC), has been into computers since the age of 13. From the time his family got their own personal computer, Tahenakos wanted to know more about how they work.
“This progressed to me physically putting computers together, but that didn’t satisfy what I was looking for,” he said. For Tahenakos, programming was the answer to his many questions about a computer’s inner workings.
When Tahenakos started the college application process, he knew he wanted to study computers, so he began looking into colleges that offered majors in computer science and programming. He considered Drexel from the beginning, and then ultimately decided on Drexel at BCC.
“Drexel at BCC was my choice because it was an affordable way to get an excellent education,” he said.
Tahenakos understood that an affordable education is just as important as the quality of education he’d receive. “I feel reassured about my future knowing that the debt I’ve incurred won’t be impossible to pay off.”
Another advantage Tahenakos sees in Drexel at BCC is convenience. The campus is not as large or as crowded as the University City Campus, he said, making his commute much easier—and also eliminating any parking concerns he might face in the city.
One of the most desirable features of a Drexel education is the co-op program, he added. During his time at Drexel at BCC, Tahenakos participated in two co-ops with Hewlett Packard, working as a Linux software engineer. His work at Hewlett Packard involved working with people from all around the organization—including those in France and China—and there was never a dull moment, he said. “I could not have asked for a better co-op. From day one, the people I have worked with have been the nicest, most positive people I have ever worked for.”
Tahenakos’ future plans include building his career in computer science as well as continuing his education. He plans to find a job after graduation, and then pursue his master’s degree. Ultimately, his goal is to earn a Ph.D. after gaining some years of work experience.
With such a strong start—in his opinion, a Drexel education is not just a great name, but “the best possible degree for engineering,” he added.