How a PathwayConnect Student Quadrupled His Income

Michael Alves realized early on how important it was to remain focused to accomplish his goals

BY: Javi Brionez

Michael Lima Alves from Ibiraçu, Brazil, traveled nearly five hours one way to attend his PathwayConnect gathering each week.

It was a difficult task to achieve, but Michael felt determined to succeed as a student. This hunger to succeed is exactly what brought him to his dream job, education, and income.

Michael began to accomplish his goals

Michael’s income quadrupled through education and hard work.

For years Michael had heard about Brigham Young University-Idaho, but receiving an education there seemed nearly impossible. After hearing about PathwayConnect, he realized an education from a Church university was more attainable than he thought.

After successfully completing PathwayConnect, Michael joined an online certificate and degree program through BYU-Idaho. He still felt a little nervous about his English skills, but he found a way to move past those fears and continue forward.

“I always put in mind that I’m a child of God,” Michael said. “I knew I could achieve everything that I wanted in my life with His help.”

Becoming a software engineer was Michael’s main goal; so he was more than happy to begin taking courses to earn his certificate in computer information technology. He realized this education would help him throughout the rest of his life.

“One thing I always remembered is that a degree from the United States would have a big impact on every company that would hire me here in Brazil,” he said.

Networking helped Michael find the position he needed

As he moved forward in his degree, Michael began networking with software engineers and other working professionals in his field. He even had the opportunity to speak at a local university on software engineering.

Thousands of students each year find better employment after completing PathwayConnect.

“In my presentation, I made a slide that mentioned that I was a student from BYU-Idaho and that it was a university from the United States,” Michael said. “The audience was very impressed with it.”

In early 2017, Michael came in contact with a person who saw his presentation and informed him of a position he couldn’t pass up.

“I was told of an opportunity to temporarily work for a company based in Australia,” Michael said. “It was the biggest opportunity of my life.”

Michael received great blessings through his education

Even though he still felt unsure about his English skills, Michael thrived in his new position. After a month of working hard and juggling several responsibilities at once, Michael’s company asked if he would be willing to use his talents on a more permanent basis.  

Michael’s faith and determination to succeed led him to his dream job.

“The company asked me if I could work more with them. I accepted that offer. After a while, they saw what I was doing and liked my work, so again they offered me a promotion. I accepted that offer as well.”

Michael’s life has changed since joining PathwayConnect and later BYU-Idaho’s online certificate and degree program, coordinated and presented through BYU-Pathway. He has even quadrupled his income since when he started with his new company! Through it all, he knows exactly where these blessings come from.

“Many blessings from God are coming and will continue coming because of what I’m learning through BYU-Idaho online courses,” Michael said.

Michael’s willingness to continue moving forward is what brought him to the position he’s in now. With help from PathwayConnect, BYU-Idaho Online, and, most importantly, Heavenly Father, Michael continues to accomplish his dreams.

“I always put in mind that I’m a child of God,” Michael said. “I knew I could achieve everything that I wanted in my life with His help.”

To learn more about how increased education can help you reach your financial goals like it helped Michael, visit byupathway.lds.org.