When Jimmy Lyman earned his GED at 20, he had no idea it would be the first step toward three engineering degrees. He has always been committed to building something better for himself and for his family. From serving in the U.S. Navy to advancing his career each time it seemed to level off, Jimmy has consistently chosen to aim higher.

He earned his Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering from ECPI University in August 2022, followed by his Bachelor of Science in November 2024. But he didn’t stop there. In November 2025, he completed his Master of Science.

Those degrees were major milestones, but the determination behind them was years in the making. Long before Jimmy stepped into a college classroom, he was already learning what it meant to take responsibility for his future.

The Decision That Changed Everything

When Jimmy was 20, he found out that he was about to become a father. At the time, he was working jobs that didn’t have much room for advancement. But he knew that he wanted to do more to provide a better life for his daughter. 

Jimmy started by earning his GED and joining the U.S. Navy, where he gained technical experience working as a machinist mate. As his skills grew, so did his family to include a newborn son. Jimmy began to think about what he wanted to build at home. “I wanted to be around for their lives,” he said. After four years of service, he made the decision to return to civilian life. 

Drawing on his experience in the Navy, he found work and success as a technician. Over time, however, he began to feel something familiar: his career seemed like it wasn’t moving forward. Even with years of technical experience, many opportunities required credentials he didn’t have. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jimmy’s life changed drastically and he was forced to reassess his future. Instead of standing still, he chose to expand his opportunities by pursuing a college degree.

Finding the Right Engineering Program

When Jimmy began researching colleges, he knew exactly what kind of place he was looking for. He needed a program that respected his family situation, moved at a pace that made sense for his stage of life, and aligned with his long-term professional goals.

ECPI University immediately stood out because of its ABET accreditation. “With it, I felt like I could go anywhere with my career,” he said. The flexible online scheduling also gave him the time he needed to stay present at home. After speaking with an admissions representative, he knew he had found the right fit.

Balancing classes with his work and family required discipline, but Jimmy found a suitable rhythm. He worked during the day, spent his evenings with his family, and dedicated his nights to coursework. ECPI University’s online program gave him the flexibility he needed to stay on track. He would attend live sessions when he could, revisit recorded lectures, and keep up with classes while traveling for work.

A Second Chance at an Education

As an adult learner, Jimmy had some initial reservations about his return. “I never thought I was really good at school.” he shared. Throughout the program, he made full use of the resources available to him, including tutoring, veteran support, and career services. His instructors also took time to provide one-on-one help, often relating course materials directly to his personal work.

It wasn’t long before Jimmy completed his associate degree, which he earned with a 4.0 GPA. Walking across the stage with his family in the audience was an especially meaningful moment. Jimmy was the first in his family to earn a college degree. “It was something I never thought I was going to do,” he said.

Encouraged by that success, Jimmy decided to continue his mechanical engineering studies. He earned his bachelor’s degree less than two years later. 

Launching His Engineering Career

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Jimmy stepped into a role as an HVAC and systems engineer with a large manufacturer. He applied what he learned in the classroom to real-world projects, supporting the operations that keep the facility running every day. Over the next two years, he continued to sharpen his skills, preparing him for the next step in his career.

As he established himself in his new role, he began thinking about what came next. He wanted to step into more leadership positions and work toward earning his Professional Engineer (PE) license. He also expressed an interest in contributing to the engineering field through technical papers and published journal articles.

To move closer to those goals, Jimmy decided to continue his education and pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Less than a year later, he completed the program and will soon be walking across the stage for the third time.

Today, Jimmy works as an HVAC and refrigeration manager at Family Dollar, where he leads a team and takes on greater responsibilities. In this role, he oversees heating and cooling systems across multiple store locations, ensuring that operations run smoothly. He also manages budgets, reviews performance data, and plans equipment upgrades.

Each step in Jimmy’s career has built on the last. Ultimately, the decision to further his education helped shape the professional he is today.

Coming Full Circle

Jimmy’s path has been defined by one consistent choice: whenever an opportunity to grow appears, he takes it. Even when that road seems like it's stalled, he continues to find a way to move forward.

What began as uncertainty about going to college turned into three degrees. And it all started with a decision to get his GED, which he jokingly says stands for “Getting Everything Done.” That decision expanded his options, strengthened his credentials, and ultimately reshaped his career.

Jimmy often reflects on how his life has come full circle. “I was just a kid tinkering and taking things apart, not really knowing what they do,” he said. “Now, I get to design them and understand how they actually work.”

As a father and a role model, he is intentional about passing that curiosity down to his children. At home, they build small projects together using engineering kits, and he looks for everyday opportunities to show them how things work. For Jimmy, the greatest accomplishment is knowing his children are watching and learning what steady effort can accomplish.

About the Author: Sarah Campo

Sarah Campo is the Director of Alumni Engagement at ECPI University. She is passionate about sharing graduate stories, celebrating their achievements, and building meaningful connections that continue beyond graduation.