A college janitor worked his way to an engineering degree - and he just got a job at an aerospace company

In 2007, Michael Vaudreuil had lost his business, his savings, and his home. He took at temporary job as a custodian at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts, to make ends meet. 

Eight years later - at age 54 - he graduated from the school with a bachelor's in mechanical engineering. And now, he snagged a job at a prominent aerospace manufacturing company, WPI's the Daily Herd reports.

Vaudreuil's story went viral during the height of graduation season last month. It all began when he decided to enroll in a few classes at WPI in addition to his full-time custodial work (as a WPI employee he was eligible to take free classes at the school). At first, he told the Daily Herd, he had no intentions of getting a degree. But his confidence grew, and he enrolled in more classes, all while working the late-shift as a janitor.

PostbyWorcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

On May 14, he walked across the stage to receive his diploma. His mortarboard was decorated with the phrase "Old dog has new tricks," CNN reports. 

Now,Vaudreuil has accepted a job as an engineer for Pratt & Whitney, an aerospace manufacturing company in Connecticut, according to the Daily Herd. He starts his new gig on July 11.

"I'm going to quote one of my favorite movies - they made me an offer I couldn't refuse," he told the paper. "Getting that job is always what it's been about. That's the moment I fought for, for so hard, all of those years."

PostbyWorcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

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