When Jason Worley’s daughter let him know that she wanted to pursue an MBA, he knew that it was time for him to do the same.
“One of my goals has always been to have a higher level of education than what my kids have. I want to set a good example for them and show them it’s possible,” Worley says.
As a shift worker in a chemical plant outside of Baton Rouge, Worley wanted a program that was both flexible and local.
He looked at programs throughout the state, but UL Lafayette’s MBA program online stood out the most.
“Some schools had tuition that would end up being $30,000 for the degree,” Worley says. “But with UL Lafayette, I could get an MBA of the same quality for less than half the cost. And the campus is only about an hour drive away from where I live near Baton Rouge, so if I wanted to come to campus and get involved, I could.”
With those factors considered, Worley’s MBA experience at UL Lafayette began.
Worley’s Journey
Worley’s career started more than 20 years ago after he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Working in retail management for a brief period, he found that wages were higher in the plants nearby.
“The advantage of working in a chemical plant, especially one as big as the one I’m in, is that there’s room for advancement,” he says. “I’ve been with my company for 17 years now.”
Through his plant’s tuition reimbursement program, Worley could earn 100% reimbursement for his MBA tuition under one condition: he had to earn an A or B in each of his classes.
“For me, that was a huge motivator,” Worley says. “I wanted to earn all of my money back.”
Worley’s work schedule was less than ideal, but the online program’s flexibility helped him make it work. He often got his assignments done early in the morning when his family was sleeping or when he had a spare moment at work.
“I would come home from work at the end of the day, take a nap, and wake up to do my work at around 3 or 4 a.m.,” he recalls. “I always brought my laptop to work with me, and if I had a moment during my shift, I’d sit down and do my readings and assignments.”
Getting Involved
In the MBA program, Worley found a supportive and vibrant community that made the challenging courses worth it.
He joined the MBA Association, allowing him to connect with other students in the program and attend events both virtually and in person.
Through group projects in his classes, he also made many new friends.
“We’d always save each other’s numbers from group projects and stay in touch,” he says. “We’d all have those moments where we doubted ourselves and questioned why we were in the MBA program, but all it took was a few encouraging words from classmates and we’d be ready to keep pushing.”
Worley also found a mentor in Robert Viguerie, associate dean for graduate and executive programs for the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
“Any time I was on campus, I stopped by Mr. Viguerie’s office to chat. We had a great relationship,” Worley says. “It was nice, being able to participate in things and develop relationships that made my experience enjoyable.”
Succeeding with Support
The encouragement and support Worley received from faculty and peers in the program played a key role in his success.
During his time in the program, Worley earned a Black Student Achievement Award from the University’s Black Faculty & Staff Association and earned the grades he needed to receive 100% reimbursement for the program from his employer.
With an MBA now on his resume, Worley is ready to take the next step in his career.
“I don’t know what I want to do yet, but I definitely want to put my MBA to use,” he says. “I want to work for a growing company and be able to help that company grow even more.”
His advice for students? Just go after it.
“If earning your MBA is something you want to do, do it. Put your heart in it, and know that you can achieve it,” he says. “UL Lafayette will always have a lasting impression on me because of the experience I had.”
Prepare for the next step in your career with UL Lafayette’s MBA program online.