Forty-one-year-old Kumar Chandrashekaran has come a long way from his years growing up in India. He moved to the United States for a better life and spent years working in the culinary industry. But as the manager of a fast food restaurant, and realizing that he had gone as far as he could within that organization, Kumar decided it was time for a change. “I wanted to find a new career,” he says. Some of Kumar’s co-workers had taken classes at Wake Tech and recommended it. “Wake Tech is affordable,” Kumar says. “I realized I could quit my job and become a full-time student!” 

Kumar didn’t just sign up for a few classes. He threw himself into his studies! He graduated with two degrees: an Associate in Arts for college transfer and an associate’s degree in Business Administration. Kumar is also dedicated to the Wake Tech community. He served as president of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), the national academic organization for students in business and leadership, won two awards at the 2013 PBL State Leadership Conference, and was the 2014 Academic Excellence Award winner for the Business and Public Services Technologies Division. Kumar, who has a wife and two young daughters, also volunteers. He helped pack meals for underprivileged children as part of a Wake Tech service project. “I enjoy giving back to the community.” Kumar says. “Education is important, but I want to be well rounded.”

Kumar has big plans for his future.  Ultimately, he would like to work at the corporate level and he’s confident he will make it. “Wake Tech is steering me in the right direction.”