A 2009 RaginӰר Cajuns football game sparked a dream for Mike Evans.
ӰרIt was Southern vs. Louisiana, and I had never even heard of the school, being from Bossier City,Ӱר he says. ӰרSo when I came to visit the campus for the first time, I was just blown away by how nice everyone was and how the food in Lafayette is just the best in the world.Ӱר
Determined to become a RaginӰר Cajun, Evans applied to the Ӱר right out of high school. Despite a solid GPA and a TOPS Scholarship, his ACT score fell short.
With his initial plans on hold, Evans took a new direction, accepting a basketball scholarship to Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska.
ӰרI was really trying to pursue the hoop dream, but after I earned my associate degree, I ended up sitting out of school for another year,Ӱר he recalls. ӰרThen I thought, ӰרWell, might as well go to the school I wanted to go to in the first place.ӰרӰר
This decision led him back to UL Lafayette, where he earned his bachelorӰרs in industrial technology in 2017. However, as he completed the program, Evans had to make a difficult decision: walk at graduation or attend a career fair in Chicago.
ӰרI chose to attend the career fair, which was on the same day,Ӱר he says. ӰרSo thatӰרs one reason I wanted to go back for my masterӰרs, because I promised my mother she would get to see me actually walk across the stage.Ӱר
After a few years of working in the oilfield and carrying this promise to his mother, Evans felt he was ready for more.
In 2021, he re-enrolled to UL Lafayette Ӱר this time, as an online student in the M.S. in Systems Technology program.
Navigating the Transition
When Evans returned to UL Lafayette for his masterӰרs, he quickly found that his coursework resonated with his career goals.
ӰרOne business class I took taught a lot about working in management roles and working in a chemical plant environment,Ӱר Evans recalls. ӰרI knew that was the type of industry that I wanted to transition to, and I knew I wanted to set myself apart, so it just felt like the perfect degree for me.Ӱר
But balancing a full-time offshore job with coursework came with its own set of challenges.
EvansӰר days were packed with long hours, and he had to make every moment count.
ӰרI had to really focus on whatӰרs important and knock it out because sometimes IӰרd have to do a 24-hour coverage by myself,Ӱר he says. ӰרI didnӰרt have time to mess around; I really had to make sure I was handling my business.Ӱר
EvansӰר responsibilities didnӰרt stop at work. One year into the program, he found himself juggling new roles: father and soon-to-be fiancé.
ӰרI was planning my proposal and just found out I was going to be a father, so there was definitely a lot going on but being able to do it online made it easier,Ӱר he says. ӰרI didnӰרt have to wake up and make the drive to class. I was still able to complete all the tasks needed in order to graduate.Ӱר
Despite the demanding schedule, Evans found support in his peers.
ӰרIӰרd contact all of my classmates at the beginning of the semester, and weӰרd create a group chat to talk about the classes and help each other out,Ӱר he says.
His efforts paid off in more ways than one.
ӰרI actually met a couple of great people through the online program. One of my classmates who graduated with me even helped me with job opportunities,Ӱר he says. ӰרAt the end of the day, I think the best part of being in college is the networking.Ӱר
Keeping his Promise
When Evans walked across the stage to receive his M.S. in Systems Technology in 2023, it was more than just an academic milestone; it was fulfillment of the promise he made to his mother.
ӰרI gave her a painting of her as a superwoman two years ago because sheӰרs really been the superwoman in my life,Ӱר he says. ӰרThe decisions my mother made have impacted my life greatly, and I wouldnӰרt be where I am currently without her sacrifice.Ӱר
And at that same commencement ceremony, Evans took another significant step in his life.
In a memorable twist, he proposed to his fiancé in the UL Lafayette ballroom.
It was a day that honored both his past successes and new beginnings.
MBA and Beyond
With his M.S. in Systems Technology in hand, Evans is already setting his sights on the next challenge: an MBA in Sales Leadership online.
ӰרWhen I first graduated, I was interested in sales, but I didnӰרt have the experience for it,Ӱר he says. ӰרNow, working in the chemical plant industry, IӰרve realized that I donӰרt want to stay in operations my whole life. So I was thinking of different things I could do, and thatӰרs when I came across UL LafayetteӰרs MBA in Sales Leadership program.Ӱר
With hopes of one day joining the sales team at his current company, Evans is leveraging his education to open new doors.
As Evans embarks on his next chapter, he carries with him a key lesson: the power of connections.
ӰרTwo of the three jobs IӰרve had, even my current job, I have received because of a member of my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi,Ӱר he says. ӰרAt the end of the day, I think the best part of being in college is the networking. Everyone comes from different walks of life to attend the Ӱר. Make sure that you meet different people across different organizations, and the sky is the limit.Ӱר
Level up your career by earning a Master of Science in Systems Technology online.
