For Sydney Schexnayder, problems aren't obstacles. They're opportunities.
The New Iberia native learned early on how to assess, identify, and solve issues by watching his dad.
“My dad could fix or build just about anything, so I was always working with my hands,” Schexnayder says.
That instinct followed Schexnayder into the Marine Corps, where he served as a mechanic, working on heavy-duty trucks and supplying combat units.
The pace, stakes and hands-on nature of his work showed Schexnayder where he wanted to take his career.
So when he started college in 2019 and found his first choice of major wasn't a great fit, he reset, choosing a degree that better aligned with the kind of work he wanted to do.
The online M.S. in Engineering and Technology Management gave him the path to get there, allowing him to strengthen his technical and leadership skills while working and serving in the Marines.
Applying Technology in the Field
After returning from boot camp, Schexnayder enrolled in what is now UL Lafayette’s bachelor's in engineering and technology management, drawn to its’ hands-on approach to problem-solving.
Schexnayder started applying his skills almost immediately by accepting a role as a technician. As he gained experience in the field, he saw an opportunity to gain further momentum through UL Lafayette’s accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway.
The pathway allowed him to begin earning graduate credits while completing his undergraduate degree, graduating with nine of the required 30 graduate credits completed toward the M.S. in Engineering and Technology Management degree.
Schexnayder was able to complete the master’s in engineering and technology management 100% online, allowing him to juggle coursework alongside military service, personal milestones, and transitioning into a new role as a construction technology specialist with Southern Constructors.
Flexibility was non-negotiable.
“The professors are so understanding. They know many of us online students are industry professionals,” he says.
“If I can't perform at work, I can't perform in school, because I can't afford school. One takes more presence at times than the other, but they really work with you.”
The application-based coursework allowed Schexnayder to take concepts from class and immediately apply them to his professional work.
“It was almost hard to remember what was an assignment and what was work, because it was so real,” he says.
In courses like ENGT 506: Design Process, Schexnayder worked through the process of developing a product from market research to prototype development.
“In undergrad, you’re learning abstract theory. In the master’s program, it was real-world application. We’re learning about what you’re actually expected to see as a safety or quality control manager.”
That practical approach helped Schexnayder grow more confident in his role.
“I was able to better organize myself at work and look more professional, rather than presenting as some kid out of college who doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
Creating Options for the Future
The skills Schexnayder developed through the program continue to shape how he approaches his work. More than anything, the experience helped him build a career centered on solving problems and supporting the people around him.
“I like to help people, and I found a position that lets me help people with many different situations.”
He’s also found confidence in knowing he has the skills to adapt and take on new challenges.
“I feel like no matter what happens, I’ll always have some backup plan with the master’s,” he says. “Now I get to choose what’s next in my life.”
Build your next opportunity with UL Lafayette’s online M.S. in Engineering and Technology Management.