From “Not For Me” to Master’s Degree: How One Dad is Continuing His Education

How a Father of Three is Continuing His Education After a 19 Year Break

Many obstacles can keep us from our goals. Time, money, and lack of support are all familiar, but some of the most imposing hurdles are the ones we put in our own way. All too often, we can convince ourselves that we just aren’t enough.

That was the kind of mental roadblock Steven Mull faced, but here’s the catch: he didn’t let it win. Today, Steven’s rewriting his story—one chapter at a time—by pursuing a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management at the Haslam College of Business through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Vols Online.

Steven didn’t see himself furthering his education after his high school graduation in 2000. He chose to enter the workforce instead, finding work at a paper mill in Waynesville, NC, in 2006. “I had no plans of doing anything else,” he shared. He also got married and became a dad to three children.

But in the fall of 2019, something changed. Call it a wake-up call or a gut feeling, but Steven saw something that he couldn’t just allow to happen: “I paid attention to how the mill was being run, came home, and told my wife that I needed to do something.” The direction he took would have surprised his younger self.

The mill’s union offered a benefit that allowed members to receive two years of higher education, something Steven had never previously considered. However, with his newfound determination, he went for it: “I enrolled and quickly realized that I can do this.” That realization changed his career path.

After his two years were complete, Steven’s wife encouraged him to see if his credits could be transferred to continue his education. They did, and Steven earned his bachelor’s in supply chain management. But life threw a curveball: the paper mill shut down, leaving Steven to take a pay cut at his next job. It was a tough break, but in a twist of fate, his new employer valued education and supported his ambitions. With this environment and more encouragement from his wife, Steven decided to reach even higher and enrolled in Vols Online to earn his master’s in Supply Chain Management.

For Steven, attending the University of Tennessee wasn’t just a goal—it was a dream. “Tennessee was my first and only choice to further my education.” And so the dream became reality.

Steven says his Vols Online experience has been great, from his professors to his student success coach. He’s even started a friendly competition with his son on who can earn the best grades, because what’s more motivating than a little father-son rivalry? As Steven works toward his 2027 graduation date, he’s thriving. “I couldn’t be happier,” he shares.

Steven’s story isn’t just about earning degrees or climbing career ladders. It’s about breaking down the barriers we build in our own minds. It’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined. Sure, there will be more challenges ahead—life has a way of keeping things interesting. But if Steven’s journey teaches us anything, it’s this: when we stop holding ourselves back, the possibilities are endless.

So, what’s stopping you?