The great recession of 2008 was devastating for Michael Vaudreuil. He not only lost his plastering business, but also his home and car, and his mom had recently died.
Desperate, he took a custodial job at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
“It was a lot less money than I was used to making, but at least I had that,” Vaudreuil told NBC News.
The school offered free classes to all of its employees, which Vandreuil took advantage of, taking classes after his night shift.
“I kind of struggle with insomnia. In this case, it had benefits,” he joked.
Eight years later, he has graduated from the the engineer school with a Bachelor’s of Science in mechanical engineering, earning a 3.65 GPA.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
