As Kaitlin Lange approached the end of her bachelor’s program in 2022, a conversation with Dr. Michael Totaro, associate professor in the School of Computing & Informatics, planted a seed.
“He told me, ‘You should go to grad school. It would help your career, and it would just be a great experience,’” she says.
The idea was as exciting as it was intimidating. How could she manage the demands of graduate school while working full time?
That’s when she learned about the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s M.S. in Informatics online program, offering accelerated courses that fit her busy schedule.
“I feel like people think you have to really grind and maybe cut out certain things in your life, but you don’t have to do that,” says Lange. “The online program is tailored to people with careers or other responsibilities.”
Thanks to that flexibility, Lange didn’t just earn her master's — she set the stage for a thriving career in cybersecurity.
Balancing Life and Online Learning
When Lange enrolled in grad school, she was already working full time as a process analyst and software developer for NASA’s Stennis Space Center.
The flexibility of the online program made pursuing her master’s possible while advancing her career.
“I needed the online delivery to keep up with my job,” she says. “I have an autoimmune disease, so juggling my health, work, and school was sometimes a lot. But having that online opportunity was just so amazing to me.”
Balancing life’s demands required careful organization. Lange planned her study time around work, dedicating evenings and weekends to assignments.
“It never conflicted with my schedule,” says Lange. “The workload would sometimes fluctuate, but planning things in advance helped me stay on track.”
Still, one concern lingered. How would she build connections without the classroom setting she’d grown accustomed to?
“At first, I was worried about working on group projects and connecting with peers,” she says. “But we used Teams and Zoom calls, and we built relationships by collaborating that way.”
It wasn’t just the technology that made the experience smooth — it was also the support from the faculty.
“I would do my schoolwork after work, and all of the professors were still quick to address concerns,” she says. “Even when I’d email them late, the response time was always awesome.”
And with that support, Lange crossed the stage once more.
From Informatics Graduate to Cybersecurity Professional
Since earning her M.S. in Informatics, Lange has been able to leverage her knowledge of systems management and data security to advance her career in cybersecurity.
“I’ve learned a lot about different programming languages and how to manage complex systems,” she says. “The courses helped me in my early role as a process analyst and software developer by giving me a handle on what to expect in the workforce.”
Lange’s career trajectory continues to climb as she works as a subcontractor for Technalink, managing the security and privacy of multiple systems.
Her role as an information system security officer (ISSO) involves significant responsibilities as part of a team working to protect vital data.
“I’m responsible for maintaining the security and privacy of four systems within the U.S. Department of Labor,” she says. “I do risk management, compliance, vulnerability assessments and things like that.”
Not one to rest on her laurels, Lange is currently furthering her expertise through certificate programs offered by Stanford University.
“Right now, I’m working on certifications in machine learning and artificial intelligence, as well as bioinformatics,” she says.
Her advice to those pursuing online degrees?
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, and take the time you need to finish,” she says.
Ready to advance your career in data analytics? Learn more about UL Lafayette's online M.S in Informatics program.
