With college approaching, Lane Burris needed to narrow his focus and find the ideal major to suit his passion.
“I always had a huge interest in technology and anything tech-related growing up,” he said. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do for a career. I tried coding in high school, but I could not get into it.
“My dad, Ken, and I were looking for other options, and we found a management information systems program, which is more analysis and database management. That piqued my interest.”
Burris went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems online from Lamar University. He graduated in May 2021 and started a new position as an operations advisor at Tesla in Houston shortly after completing the program.
“Having the bachelor’s degree had a lot to do with me landing at Tesla,” he said. “I already had operations experience from when I previously worked at CVS Pharmacy, so I went into the role at Tesla knowing a lot. However, the degree helped them make the final choice.”
After starting the BBA in Management Information Systems program primarily on campus in a hybrid format, Burris finished the fully online program because of COVID-19. The switch worked out well for him.
“I liked the online classes better — especially because I was working full time,” he said. “I could work on school when things were a little slow. It was a great situation.”
Charging Ahead
Burris grew up in the Beaumont area. The Silsbee High School graduate worked his way up from clerk to operations manager during his nearly six years at CVS.
“I looked at a couple of other universities when I was ready to go to college,” he said. “The program drew me into Lamar. My family was super stoked.”
His mother, Christi, is a Lamar University alumna, while his father and brother, Kole, are graduates of the Lamar Institute of Technology, affiliated with the university until 1995.
Christi earned a psychology degree, while Ken and Kole completed the process operations program. His father also pursued a finance concentration.
Burris gained valuable knowledge from the program curriculum. He especially enjoyed the leadership insights from the Management Information Systems course, taught by Jeff Dyson, Lamar University’s Master of Business Administration and graduate certificates director.
“It was my favorite course in the program,” Burris said. “I was definitely able to use the information I was learning at work.
“I could use more of the leadership information knowledge when I worked at CVS, but now I use more of the management information systems knowledge, like database analysis, at Tesla.”
Vroom, Vroom
Burris completed his undergraduate journey by walking in the commencement ceremony on campus with his family there to cheer him on.
“Graduation day was a fun experience,” he said. “I got to sit by one of my friends at the ceremony. I had a good time.”
Although he is new to his position, Burris hopes he is poised for a long career doing what he loves every day.
“I would like to be more on the back end at Tesla, which is growing like crazy,” he said. “Maybe I could work at the new headquarters in Austin.”
Burris, an avid golfer and member of the varsity team in high school, is proud to carry on a family tradition as a successful alumnus.
“I got good value out of the BBA in Management Information Systems program at Lamar University,” he said. “I liked that the classes were small enough that you were able to ask questions.
“You are closer to your classmates. Most of the classes had 20 people. You get to know everyone. Online is the way the world is going. People are more comfortable in that environment.”
Learn more about Lamar University’s online BBA in Management Information Systems program.
