A 2009 Ragin杏吧专区 Cajuns football game sparked a dream for Mike Evans.
杏吧专区淚t was Southern vs. Louisiana, and I had never even heard of the school, being from Bossier City,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淪o 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.杏吧专区
Determined to become a Ragin杏吧专区 Cajun, Evans applied to the 杏吧专区 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.
杏吧专区淚 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,杏吧专区 he recalls. 杏吧专区淭hen I thought, 杏吧专区榃ell, might as well go to the school I wanted to go to in the first place.杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿
This decision led him back to UL Lafayette, where he earned his bachelor杏吧专区檚 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.
杏吧专区淚 chose to attend the career fair, which was on the same day,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淪o that杏吧专区檚 one reason I wanted to go back for my master杏吧专区檚, because I promised my mother she would get to see me actually walk across the stage.杏吧专区
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 杏吧专区 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 master杏吧专区檚, he quickly found that his coursework resonated with his career goals.
杏吧专区淥ne business class I took taught a lot about working in management roles and working in a chemical plant environment,杏吧专区 Evans recalls. 杏吧专区淚 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.杏吧专区
But balancing a full-time offshore job with coursework came with its own set of challenges.
Evans杏吧专区 days were packed with long hours, and he had to make every moment count.
杏吧专区淚 had to really focus on what杏吧专区檚 important and knock it out because sometimes I杏吧专区檇 have to do a 24-hour coverage by myself,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 have time to mess around; I really had to make sure I was handling my business.杏吧专区
Evans杏吧专区 responsibilities didn杏吧专区檛 stop at work. One year into the program, he found himself juggling new roles: father and soon-to-be fianc茅.
杏吧专区淚 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,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 have to wake up and make the drive to class. I was still able to complete all the tasks needed in order to graduate.杏吧专区
Despite the demanding schedule, Evans found support in his peers.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檇 contact all of my classmates at the beginning of the semester, and we杏吧专区檇 create a group chat to talk about the classes and help each other out,杏吧专区 he says.
His efforts paid off in more ways than one.
杏吧专区淚 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,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淎t the end of the day, I think the best part of being in college is the networking.杏吧专区
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.
杏吧专区淚 gave her a painting of her as a superwoman two years ago because she杏吧专区檚 really been the superwoman in my life,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淭he decisions my mother made have impacted my life greatly, and I wouldn杏吧专区檛 be where I am currently without her sacrifice.杏吧专区
And at that same commencement ceremony, Evans took another significant step in his life.
In a memorable twist, he proposed to his fianc茅 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.
杏吧专区淲hen I first graduated, I was interested in sales, but I didn杏吧专区檛 have the experience for it,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淣ow, working in the chemical plant industry, I杏吧专区檝e realized that I don杏吧专区檛 want to stay in operations my whole life. So I was thinking of different things I could do, and that杏吧专区檚 when I came across UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 MBA in Sales Leadership program.杏吧专区
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.
杏吧专区淭wo of the three jobs I杏吧专区檝e had, even my current job, I have received because of a member of my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淎t 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 杏吧专区. Make sure that you meet different people across different organizations, and the sky is the limit.杏吧专区
Level up your career by earning a Master of Science in Systems Technology online.
