You’ve Got to Want It

After a traumatic event had left his younger brother paralyzed, Rudy lost his job, his stability, and his sense of direction. 

But Rudy was determined to move forward. His early career in car sales taught him how to communicate, build trust, and hustle. He applied to dozens of jobs and pushed himself to rebuild. He knew he wanted to go back to school, but navigating higher education felt overwhelming. He wasn’t sure where to begin.

Rudy then heard about Duet from a friend. It stood out because it fit who Rudy already was. “It’s very self-driven,” he says. “No one’s going to take your hands and put your fingers on the keyboard. You’ve got to want it.” The flexible, supportive model allowed him to pursue his education while navigating real-life challenges.

Rudy’s path through school wasn’t linear. Past legal issues led to time away but he stayed focused on the future he wanted. After returning home, he recommitted to his education, spending hours in the student center and pushing himself to finish his associate degree.

“No one’s going to take your hands and put your fingers on the keyboard. You’ve got to want it.”

Graduating was a powerful moment—especially for his mother and siblings. Today, Rudy is continuing toward his bachelor’s degree in Business Management, recently started a new role at Mercury Logistics, and hopes to one day launch a nonprofit supporting at-risk youth.

Through Duet, he found a structure that helped him develop professional skills and accountability. He also discovered something deeper — confidence in his own ability to grow, even when life gets hard. 

His advice for someone considering Duet is simple: “Go for it—but you’ve got to want it.”