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U.S. Army veteran Aaron Johannes earned his bachelor’s degree in project management with a specialization in construction management from Colorado State University Global. He returned to college while working and raising a family, ultimately choosing a 100% online program after realizing that attending classes in person wouldn’t fit his life.
In this Q&A, Aaron shares why online learning turned out to be the right decision, how credits from his Army training and previous college coursework applied toward his degree, and how his enrollment counselor, GI Bill® benefits, veteran tuition discount, faculty members, and CSU Global’s Student Veterans of America chapter supported him along the way.
Could you balance an online degree with work and family?
CSU Global showed me how attainable an online degree could be. At first, I thought I needed to return to school in person, but now I wouldn’t do it any other way. It still takes work and commitment, but the format was manageable around my job and family.
Did credits from your military service count toward your degree?
When I was in the Army, I worked on radar and electronic systems and completed leadership training. CSU Global applied 18 credits from that experience toward requirements such as general education courses. The transfer process was really easy.
How many credits were you able to transfer?
I transferred about 40 credits from Kansas State University and my Army experience. Once I had my records together, submitting everything was very easy. Those credits helped me make significant progress toward my degree.
What was the enrollment process like?
The enrollment process was very easy. My enrollment counselor helped me understand exactly what I needed to do and guided me through the checklist step by step, helping connect my military credits to certain general education requirements.. That made everything much easier and reassured me that I was on the right path.
Were you able to use your GI Bill® benefits?
I used my GI Bill® benefits and also received a veteran tuition discount throughout the two years I attended. CSU Global helped coordinate the process with the VA, which streamlined everything and made it much easier for me.
Did you find a military community at CSU Global?
Absolutely. I found support from fellow students as well as faculty members. Having professors with military backgrounds added another layer of understanding and support.
What military and academic resources did you use?
I used the Writing Center, the online library, and CSU Global’s Student Veterans of America chapter. I served as the local SVA chapter president for most of my two years at CSU Global. That community was especially valuable in an online environment because it gave military-connected students a place to meet, share experiences, and find support.
Was CSU Global’s format a good fit for military-connected students?
There was a lot of support from fellow military-connected students and faculty members. The format was manageable and followed a consistent weekly routine, which made it easier to plan my time and stay on track.
How did your CSU Global experience prepare you for what came next?
My project management courses taught me how to manage projects and understand the details involved. But one of my biggest takeaways was learning how to manage my days and weeks more effectively. After graduating, I started a new job, and I believe the structure of my CSU Global experience helped set me up for success.
What would you tell someone considering CSU Global?
It’s very doable and manageable when you make the time for it. It may take a little while to adjust and establish your weekly routine, but once you find your flow, it becomes much easier to manage.