Gabe Burns graduated from high school in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2003. He took a few college business classes, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do professionally. After completing the necessary training and working as an EMT and volunteer firefighter for a few years, he ended up in sales for a major power tool manufacturer. In 2013, he had finished his associate degree from Palm Beach State College when he met an Alabama girl at brunch.
“She was in town for a bachelorette party, and we met and stayed in touch. She had graduated from UA, and after we met, she moved down to West Palm Beach, and eventually we got married.” Gabe and Lindsey welcomed their son, Levi, in 2015, and decided to move to Lindsey’s hometown in Leeds, Alabama, the next year. “She wanted to be near her parents, and I just wanted to be near my wife.”
Gabe said he has enjoyed making Alabama home, citing the cost of living, safety and “that Southern hospitality” Alabama is known for. Soon after their move, Gabe decided it was time to earn his bachelor’s.
“I knew having a bachelor’s would help me move into management roles – and it can be required for sales jobs in bigger companies. So it was important for my career, and I thought it would be cool to graduate from Alabama. It turned out they had a program that fit just right for me,” he said. Gabe began the 100% online bachelor’s in Human Environmental Sciences in Fall 2016. “I felt like the HES degree went well with the classes I’d already taken, and it was just a well-rounded program.”
The degree program allows students to tailor the coursework to their interests and goals, and Gabe said that his coursework has been useful to him. “The consumer sciences and leadership courses were very helpful – so were the conflict courses. Those were directed toward everything you face in the workplace, not just conflict, but dealing with different personalities and all kinds of challenges.”
During his time in the program, Gabe has been fulfilling his roles as husband and father as well as a full-time career, and he has also renovated their home. “It’s not just school and work – my wife’s got me building stuff and tearing down walls and redoing our kitchen.” The online format has allowed him to complete coursework while managing all of life’s priorities.
“The biggest challenge for me was giving up some weekend time with my family. I haven’t missed any soccer games or anything like that, but I’ve had to manage my time on the weekends for homework. As a family man, I want to spend as much time with them as I can, so I try to get up early and knock most of my coursework out in the morning to give us the afternoon,” he said. “The interactions with online classes are different than in-person classes. But most professors I’ve had, they get back to me really quickly. I feel like I’ve worked my tail off, and it hasn’t been easy, but the professors have made it a smooth process.”
Gabe’s been working in medical device sales since 2018, and his territory includes Tuscaloosa, so even though he’s a distance student, he’s become familiar with the area. “We’ve even been to some games and A-Day, where Levi got to meet Big Al.” His son has been part of his motivation to finish. “I want to leave a good example and legacy for him and not give him any excuses. He’ll go to college – probably Alabama,” he said.
Gabe completed his coursework in May 2020, but due to social distancing measures, his graduation ceremony has been delayed. When asked if he plans to come to campus for commencement in the summer, he said, “Absolutely – 100%. Even if I didn’t want to, I don’t have a choice. My wife’s making me. She didn’t go to her own graduation, and it’s one of her biggest regrets.” The whole family plans to be there to celebrate Gabe’s accomplishment.
“Going to school and working at the same time – obviously, it’s a challenge. But you learn things along the way, and overcoming any challenge gives you the upper hand in the next challenge you face.”
Published: August 31st, 2020