From the Army to Consulting: Global Campus Alum Uses MBA to Launch New Career
For Johnathan McKinney, online education was more than a convenient way to earn a degree—it was a pathway to an entirely new career. A graduate of the Washington State University Global Campus’ online Master of Business Administration program, Johnathan used the flexibility of online learning, along with the relationships he built at WSU, to transition from military service into product management and consulting roles.
Johnathan’s journey began in the U.S. Army, where he worked as a project manager and information officer. During his time in the military, he quickly realized that traditional, in-person education would be difficult to pursue while moving between assignments.
“It was in the military that I learned the value of online education,” he said. “I wasn’t able to stay in one place long enough to attend a local university, and with my work schedule, daytime classes just weren’t realistic. The flexibility of online higher education was the clear choice for me.”
Johnathan enrolled in the Carson College of Business online MBA program through WSU Global Campus in 2017. He graduated in 2020 with a concentration in marketing.
“I really enjoyed my time at Global Campus,” he said. “The professors and students were very friendly and helpful, and I loved learning with them. I keep in touch with some to this day.”
At the time, Johnathan had a clear career goal in mind: to transition from project manager to product manager or management consultant.
“Education and networking were both major parts of my strategy to make the switch,” he said. “I knew I needed to build new skills, but I also needed to connect with people already working in those spaces.”
Following graduation, Johnathan worked in product operations and product risk management roles before eventually becoming a product manager. Today, he works as a senior strategy consultant at Virtusa.
“I couldn’t have made it into the roles I wanted without the learning experiences I had along the way,” he said. “Getting my MBA online was definitely a part of that.”
Even after achieving his original career goals, Johnathan continues to look ahead. His long-term ambition is to start his own consulting firm focused on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs navigate complex challenges.
While preparing for that next step, he remains active in volunteer work and fundraising for good causes. He also enjoys networking with fellow Cougs, keeping in touch and sharing career advice through platforms like CougsConnect.
One piece of advice he frequently shares with current Global Campus students is to build a strong community with fellow online Cougs.
“Online learning can feel isolating if you try to do everything on your own,” Johnathan said. “Creating group chats, virtual meeting spaces, and staying connected after graduation can make a huge difference. Those relationships can turn into friendships, mentorships, and professional opportunities.”
Along with strong networking, Johnathan also encourages students to continue building skills long after graduation.
“Never stop learning,” he said. “Get certifications or graduate certificates through respected online learning platforms. Aim for one each year, if you can. Be sure that the skills you learn lead toward the job you want. Planning ahead and taking advantage of opportunities are key to advancing your career.”
For Johnathan, that mindset helped transform an online MBA into the foundation for an entirely new professional path.
About the Author
Jeff Willadsen is the Digital Content and Communication Coordinator for WSU Global Campus. Before being hired at WSU in 2018, he worked as a photojournalist and public affairs specialist in the U.S. Navy. He earned his master’s in strategic communication online through WSU Global Campus while still serving on active duty in the Navy.