Education paves the way from tactical missions to real-world problem solving for online Master of Science in Engineering Technology grad

Refa Tomy Mukendi thought his strength resided in his muscles. But his journey from an Army specialist with a high school diploma to a civilian database engineer doctoral candidate in five years surprised even him.

Mukendi graduated from Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Engineering Technology program in December 2025, completing the smart manufacturing graduate certificate at the same time. A database engineer with J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Mukendi is on track to complete Purdue’s online Doctor of Technology program in 2027.

For Mukendi, who was just looking for his next step, the journey has been remarkable.

Mukendi’s family relocated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Dallas when he was a preschooler. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the infantry division of the Army.

“The people you come across and the things you do, it’s so eye-opening,” Mukendi said. “It makes you mature very quickly. So, it was a blessing for me. You have no choice but to just learn and just become an adult.”

After five years of rising through the ranks to specialist, he was medically discharged after suffering a separated shoulder, sciatic nerve damage and various cumulatively injuries. As his career was winding down, Mukendi said he began to think about a future without the military.

“When I was told I was getting medically discharged, I went to the education room to see what I could do because I felt that there weren’t really many options out there in the world for me,” Mukendi said.

“I didn’t really know what (to do) because once you get out of the military, it’s new beginnings, new careers, a new world. You got to find a new job, new home. You’re just by yourself.”

Mukendi said since he gravitated to physical activity and sports, he chose a combat role for his military track. As a civilian, he assumed those interests would better align with construction.

But, in the base’s education room that day was a college recruiter who asked about his hobbies and introduced the idea of higher education. When he told her about his interest in video games, she suggested a career in computer science.

“She just told me I needed to have confidence,” Mukendi said.

The recruiter challenged the way Mukendi saw himself. The more he tried to explain why college was not a good fit, the more persistent she became, pointing out the intellect and critical thinking skills demonstrated in his interest in computers and video gaming.

Growing up, I never knew that I was an analytical thinker. I never took it seriously… But it just hit me because I didn’t know how smart I was. I didn’t know how intellectual I was until she kept pressing it.

Refa Tomy Mukendi

Master of Science in Engineering Technology graduate, Doctor of Technology candidate

He found pursuing his associate and bachelor’s degrees in computer science helped to ease his transition from the military to civilian life.

By the time he completed his bachelor’s, he had developed the confidence to enroll in a master’s program. He said he was excited to find Purdue offered its Master of Science in Engineering Technology online, which was perfect for someone who lived and worked full time in Arkansas.

“That gave me comfort because I was building my confidence, knowing that I was ready for it,” Mukendi said.

“I was never raised in that type of environment where people were in that type of field. I was always around people that just played sports, people that were in combat. So, I just did not have that confidence and I was very scared. I didn’t see myself being in like a degree like this, not even just engineering, just in general.”

Education, however, was only part of the journey. Mukendi found a job at J.B. Hunt, a logistics and transportation company, as a supply manager. A year later, he had two mentors and was enrolled in the company’s manager training program.

“I love J.B. Hunt,” Mukendi said. “I started at the bottom…and it worked out really well. When you start at the bottom, wherever you go, they will trust you more. I knew I wanted to be in tech once I started studying, but I had no experience. I didn’t get to the tech side until like two years later, but it took time to switch sides.”

His two journeys scaffolded his progress. The more education he gained, the more skills he could apply at work, the faster his career progressed at J.B. Hunt.

The bachelor’s was for the knowing. The master’s is for the doing.

Refa Tomy Mukendi

Master of Science in Engineering Technology graduate, Doctor of Technology candidate

As he mastered his challenges, Mukendi said he has grown increasingly concerned about the obstacles other young men may be facing. He said he hopes he can be an example of what is possible.

“A lot of people, when they’re young, and they go through trials, they want to go outside, they want to party, they just want to do something that can take their minds off of their problems. I want to show them you got to keep your mind focused.”

After completing his doctorate, Mukendi said he plans to partner with underserved schools in his community to help boys and young men who may be facing their own challenges. But first, he wants to earn the credentials and expertise to be effective in that space.

“I want go to the worst community schools,” Mukendi said. “I want to go to the worst of the worst environments and have an impact.”

For more information about Purdue’s online Master of Science in Engineering Technology, visit the program’s website.