Growing up in Grand Lake, Louisiana, a small town just south of Lake Charles, Katherine Deshotel always knew she wanted more.
After finishing high school in 2015, she set her sights on the ÎÚŃ»ĘÓƵ at Lafayette.
During her time on campus, Deshotel thrived, earning both a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA.
But after stepping into the workforce, she realized that her ambitions were pulling her in a new direction.
“I started working at a local call center after getting my MBA. I was doing surface level data work, but I knew I didn’t want to stay there forever” says Deshotel. “So I applied for a bunch of jobs and was told I don’t have the coding knowledge needed.”
Driven to break into the field of data analytics, Deshotel returned to UL Lafayette — this time in the online M.S. in Informatics program. The online format allowed her to balance her new career with her studies.
This decision would launch her into a financial analytics career, supporting major casinos with her skillset.
A Familiar Path Forward
When it came time to choose a program, Deshotel went with the familiar choice.
“I looked at other options, but UL Lafayette felt like home,” she says. “I knew I would be able to get through it, because this would be my third time as a student.”
But this time she was balancing her studies with the demands of a full-time job. The challenge, she says, was learning the new role while working through the program.
"I knew I had to find a balance,” she says. And that’s exactly what she found with her online studies.
“The program allowed me to do the coursework at my own pace, whenever I wanted to,” says Deshotel. “Everything was on my terms, besides the due date.”
Mastering Data Online
Deshotel’s journey through the online M.S. in Informatics program was demanding but rewarding.
One of the standout features of the program was the network she built with her peers.
“Through group projects, I was able to connect with my classmates,” she says. “That's helpful because in the next class you'll have another group project, so you get to work with the people in your program.”
Her capstone project was another highlight for Deshotel. She was able to bring together all she learned from both the program and her work.
“We were given free rein to choose a project showcasing the skills we gained,” she recalls. “I was able to use things I’d learned in my job, plus things I’d learned in the program.”
This hands-on experience, combined with the relevance of the coursework to her work as a regional financial analyst, proved to be useful.
“I learned a lot about technical hardware,” she recalls. “I support 14 casinos with their data. The tech aspect of the program helped me understand our data warehouses in my current job and how that flows.”
Earning her M.S. in Informatics in May 2024, Deshotel’s roots remain strong.
“UL Lafayette feels like home to me. In both undergrad and grad school, it was just great to be a part of. I’m proud to be a Ragin’ Cajun.”
With three degrees and a new outlook, Deshotel stresses the value of staying focused and leaning on your network.
“Stay organized and reach out to classmates and professors. Use the resources, people are here to help you. They want to see you succeed.”
Ready to advance your career? Learn more about UL Lafayette's online M.S. in Informatics program.
