Devin Nef, is a simple man, a country fan, and he represents less than 26 percent of the student population here at BYU-Idaho.  A native of Rigby, Devin is a junior studying construction Management and minorring in business management, currently taking 12 credits. Like most he is a student, actively involved in his church.

But Devin is also a husband, and a father. Giving him many responsibilities to juggle while earning his bachelors degree.

“It can be tough...One day at a time is about the best that you can do because, like today, I had a pretty easy day. I stayed home, watched the boy, went to work, days like tomorrow, I’ll be running running running at school. “

One thing that sets Devin apart is his work ethic he works part time at perhaps the least understood building on campus.

“It’s a very dirty job, but I really like it!”
And a rewarding job. Devin is one of only five students that is privileged to work at the Central plant.

Our story brings us here, the heating plant, now called the central plant. Each day a semi truck load of coal is brought here to keep BYU-Idaho warm and functioning.

The day to day routine working at the central plant is dirty.  Most of Devin’s time is spent cleaning up and keeping the broilers going.
Each week he tries to work close to 20 hours.

Devin and his wife Emily are able to maintain a balance in life through one critical process, planning.

“We just have to keep it planned out. Tomorrow you’ll watch the boy, I’ll be in class I’ll pick him up at this time, and then usually if something comes up we have to plan it out....Other times we have to just pass him off, say OK. It’s your turn take the boy. I have to do homework. Or one of us if we need to say up on campus for a while longer.”

While he is busier than most students, it is not all work for Devin. Being a father has also been a rewarding experience that has taught him many new skills.

"Patience a lot more patience…Also I’ve had to learn to deal with the stresses that come with having a kid run around the house or knocking over lighting...There you go, we keep it really here."

A is a simple man, a country fan, a father. Struggling to make ends meet and provide for his family while attending school in a poor economy. In Rexburg, I’m Brian Johnson, I-News.