Cultural differences have proven to play a role in pursuing a career. For 20-year-old Zarin Tasnim ’21, her dream of becoming a doctor was quickly replaced by pursuing a bachelor of science degree in airport management and taking air traffic control courses after she attended an Open House at Vaughn College in 2017.
Learning from a cartoon
Born in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Tasnim moved with her family to Queens, New York when she was nine years old. She recalls life being difficult then as she did not know how to speak the English language. This obstacle kept her from having many friends. “I knew even at an early age that I needed to learn how to speak English,” said Tasnim. “Believe it or not, I credit the cartoon character ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ for helping me learn English,” she said laughingly. “I watched the show every day and before I knew it, I was able to speak the language well enough to make myself understood.”
Breaking cultural barriers
Growing up, Tasnim aspired to become a doctor but she said something did not feel right about it. She believed she had a different path to take. When she entered high school, she enrolled in the science technology engineering and math (STEM) program. She admits biology was not her favorite subject and soon realized the medical field might not be the right path for her. She switched her focus toward mechanical engineering and decided that would be her track when she moved onto college. Tasnim thought her future was set. She received a full-ride, four-year scholarship to Brooklyn College and was ready to dive into her engineering degree—until she heard about Vaughn. “In my country we are encouraged to become doctors or engineers,” Tasnim said. “I always thought becoming a doctor would be my path. That all changed when I discovered Vaughn.”
Changing paths
Even with the full scholarship in place at Brooklyn College, Tasnim wasted no time attending an Open House at Vaughn. “From the minute I saw the radar and tower control simulators, I knew Vaughn was the perfect college for me. It felt like home,” she said. At that moment, Tasnim was at a crossroads. Her parents were excited that she was considering a college closer to home, but the financial hurdle came into question. She had her tuition covered at another college, but her heart was set on Vaughn. The question Tasnim asked herself: “How can I afford to attend Vaughn?”
Finding Financial Opportunities
In the summer of 2017, Tasnim attended an express registration event and was accepted on the spot. She enrolled in the airport management program for the upcoming fall semester. Soon after, Tasnim realized she and her family could not afford the program. With a heavy heart, she began the process of withdrawing from her fall classes when Vaughn approached her about the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) which provided her the financial assistance to remain a student at Vaughn. One of the requirements of HEOP is to complete a summer semester. Vaughn enrolled her right away and Tasnim was on her way to pursuing her dream.
The HEOP program is an important part of life at Vaughn, and its mandate closely follows the College’s own: Providing economically and educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented students the possibility of a college education. The primary objective of both HEOP and Vaughn is to help provide a broad range of services to students who—because of academic and economic circumstances—would otherwise be unable to attend college, yet have the potential and desire to obtain a college degree.
Balancing work and studies
Although Tasnim is pursuing a degree in airport management, she is focusing on air traffic control to be her ultimate profession. With help from Vaughn’s career services department, she was hired by the Washington Center for a summer internship, where she works at LaGuardia Airport’s air traffic control tower. “It’s important that I position myself wisely to prepare for my future in aviation,” Tasnim said. “Working as an airport manager will give me the experience that I need right out of college to help lay the groundwork for my future. I hope to be hired as an air traffic controller after graduation to land my dream job.” In addition to her internship, she holds a second part-time job working as a receptionist at the security desk at Vaughn.
Grateful to Vaughn
Without the support and guidance from HEOP and the Vaughn family, Tasnim said she wouldn’t be where she is today. “It’s important for me to break the stereotype of working in a predominantly male profession,” she stated. “I still pinch myself every day that I’m where I am now. Even my parents can’t believe it.” She explains how the professors at Vaughn have been instrumental in helping her on her journey, but the driving force is her close relationship she has with her siblings. “My younger sister and brother look up to me as a role model,” Tasnim said lovingly. “I need to show them that anything is possible and not to settle in life. It’s acceptable to change your mind. Change is a good thing and I’m living proof of that.”
Friends come into our lives for a reason. For 18-year old Daniel Cianov ’21, it was his close high school friend Edward Carmona who proved to be the driving force that inspired Cianov to pursue an associate degree in occupational studies (AOS) at Vaughn College’s Aviation Training Institute (ATI).
Finding his way to Vaughn
Deeply rooted in his Russian and Jewish heritage, Cianov was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York before moving to his current home in Queens. Throughout his early years, he always believed he would work in the medical field, following in the footsteps of his family. But something changed along the way. “As I got older, I realized working in the medical field wasn’t for me,” Cianov said. “I was lost for a while until my friend approached me two months before high school graduation and told me about the ATI program at Vaughn.
Launching his future
Cianov was excited about Vaughn. He researched all the information he could find and knew the College would be the turning point to guide him toward his future. “I was never a great student,” Cianov said humbly, “but I have always been good at using my hands. Studying to become an aircraft maintenance technician was never on my radar, but thanks to my friend, my passion became my future profession.” Both Cianov and Carmona enrolled at Vaughn in the summer of 2019 and, according to Cianov, they have not looked back since.
Gaining hands-on experience
Growing up, Cianov recalls fond memories of helping his father, Abraham, with various tasks around the house. “My father taught me the importance of knowing how to use my hands,” he explained. “He is a jeweler by trade, which requires skill and precise techniques.”
At Vaughn, Cianov said the hands-on skills he is learning are a perfect fit for him. The mechanical skills involved in airframe and powerplant maintenance operations has validated his passion for working as an aircraft maintenance technician. “The professors teach you everything from the ground up,” he said. “The curriculum is the perfect balance of lecture and lab. Everything you need to know is presented professionally and carefully so the students have a full understanding of the material.”
Having a good support system
Having the full support of his family was an important factor for Cianov to pursue his degree at Vaughn—but affording his education came at a price. “I wasn’t sure how I could afford a college education,” he said. “I learned of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and took it a step further. I am grateful to be a part of the program and the opportunity it afforded me to pursue my degree.”
The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program is an important part of life at Vaughn, and its mandate closely follows the College’s own: Providing economically and educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented students the possibility of a college education. The primary objective of both HEOP and Vaughn is to help provide a broad range of services to students who—because of academic and economic circumstances—would otherwise be unable to attend college, yet have the potential and desire to obtain a college degree.a
Like son, like father
Abraham’s excitement for his son to work in the aviation industry has inspired him to possibly pursue a career in this field as well. At this time, Abraham is considering enrolling at Vaughn in the future to begin a new career path for himself.
Looking to the future
Cianov is working toward completing his coursework in the AOS program so he can move on to taking the airframe and powerplant licensing exams. He said he plans on working in the New York area and eventually earning his private pilot license.
“There comes a time when you just know you’re in the right profession,” said Cianov. “I owe it all to my friend. I know I’m not there yet, but I have no doubt I’m on the right path for a bright future.”
Are you interested in a career as an aviation maintenance technician? In as little as 16 months, Vaughn College’s Aviation Training Institute can prepare you for a high paying career as a certified airframe and powerplant technician. Interested in learning more? Sign up for our next Info. Session on July 22 at 6 p.m. – you’ll receive the opportunity to apply for FREE and a chance to win a $500 scholarship. In addition, learn how you can take advantage of Vaughn’s HEOP program which may include a variety of services including workshops, supplemental financial assistance, counseling, tutoring in several subject areas and more.
Amazon customers may soon be priming for a special delivery. And, it’s not about what they ordered but how it’s being delivered. Amazon unveiled its Prime Air delivery drone last summer, which has left consumers and drone enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
If this sounds familiar, it is. The internet retailer has been improving on its drone technology over the years to bring its next-generation electric drone closer to the skies and to your doorstep. Who knows? It may be at your home sooner than you think.
Latest design
Named the “MK27,” Amazon’s delivery drone service Prime Air is breaking barriers over the more than two dozen drone designs the company has tested in the past. This new “hybrid design” can show off its moves by taking off and landing vertically, like a helicopter, and flying horizontally and aerodynamically, like an airplane. This latest advancement is considered to make this drone safer, more efficient and more stable since it operates on six degrees of movement instead of four. Watch the video to see for yourself.
Safety factor
You may have some questions about how the Amazon drone delivery service can navigate around obstacles, let alone on its own. Here’s how: Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with some pretty cool technology and features, allows the delivery drone to operate more autonomously. Thermal cameras, depth cameras and sonar are used to detect hazards while onboard computers are programmed to automatically identify obstacles and navigate around them. For example, Prime Air drones will be able to detect people, animals and even wires or backyard clotheslines. Even more impressive is the drone’s ability make appropriate moves and delivery decisions based on changes in the environment, either while in transit or if it encounters a moving object. Amazon took drone safety one step further by protecting the drone’s rotors with covers, which serve as wings during sustained flight. The company said that in addition to acting as a safety feature, the rotor covers allow for a more dynamic and faster flight.
Delivery capabilities
Amazon is working hard toward its goal to design a drone with a 15-mile range that can deliver packages under five pounds within 30 minutes. If you’re thinking that limits deliveries to small packages, you’re correct. But did you know that 75 to 90 percent of items purchased on Amazon are under five pounds?
On the horizon
As exciting as the thought may be of having an Amazon drone delivery service deliver a package to your home, there’s still no definitive timeframe on when it will happen. Over the years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Amazon drones for test flights; however, regulations require each new prototype to have a special airworthiness certificate. Additionally, Amazon is still faced with overcoming certain social and technological obstacles, which include drone noise and the challenges of flying in inclement weather (e.g., rain or snow). The good news is the company is working hard on making drone delivery a reality. When that will happen, is up in the air.
Are you interested in the aviation industry, or learning how to design and build an unmanned aerial vehicle? Discover all that’s possible with an engineering degree from Vaughn College.