Meet John, who was born at Fort Bragg, where his father was stationed with the 82nd Airborne as a parachute rigger. Later, he moved to Southern California to be near his mother’s family, and he spent most of his youth there. While his roots trace back to Fort Bragg, he considers Southern California his home. He is currently studying electrical engineering at UIUC.
When asked about his military service and his reasons for pursuing higher education, he said:
”I enlisted in the Marine Corps, driven by a lifelong desire to be an infantryman. During my service, I deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008 and to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2011. I also served with the Marine Corps Security Forces in Bahrain in 2006 and with MARCENT Forward in Bahrain in 2012.”
“After separating from the Marine Corps in 2013, I spent several years exploring diverse careers and working overseas government contracts. My journey included brief stints as a wireline operator in Odessa, Texas, working for Hollywood celebrities, supporting an NFL team owner, and contributing to various contracts with the Department of Defense and Department of State. Along the way, I noticed that individuals making the most significant impacts consistently had higher education, and engineers in particular excelled at problem-solving across various fields. In 2021, after years of exploration and with my wife’s encouragement, I decided to fully commit to higher education and pursue a degree in engineering—a path that aligns with my passion for problem-solving and creating meaningful change.”
I then asked him, what was the most challenging part of transitioning from military life to student life?
”The biggest challenge in transitioning from military/contracting life to full time student was stepping out of a role where I was highly skilled and confident into an environment filled with uncertainty. In my previous work, I had built expertise and a sense of stability, which made the transition to academia—where success isn’t guaranteed—a major adjustment. In school, I’ve had to dedicate long hours to rigorous work while developing new skills and maintaining a high level of cognitive performance. Balancing these demands with the responsibilities of being a husband and father has made the transition even more challenging. However, this experience has also pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.”
After this, I asked, are you involved in any organizations or clubs at school?
“While I haven’t been as actively involved with these organizations as I would have liked this semester due to the demands of caring for a newborn, I plan to increase my participation next semester. I’m a member of Ghost EV, a motorcycle group focused on building an electric motorcycle to compete in races across the U.S., which aligns with my engineering interests. I also participate in the IEEE student chapter to connect with fellow engineers and stay updated on advancements in the field. Additionally, I’m part of the Veterans group at UIUC, which provides invaluable support and camaraderie. I look forward to contributing more to these organizations in the near future.”
My last question was, What are your career aspirations after graduation? He said:
“My initial plan after completing my degree was to return to government work, leveraging my experience and skills. However, friends and former colleagues have often emphasized the potential opportunities that come with earning an electrical engineering degree from UIUC, which has led me to reevaluate my options. I am currently exploring various paths and industries where I can make a meaningful impact, but I have not yet decided on a specific direction.”
In addition to all of this, John has been awarded the Illini Club Scholarship this year! All in all, John’s journey has been marked by a unique blend of military service, diverse career experiences, and a newfound passion for engineering. From serving in multiple overseas deployments with the Marine Corps to working on government contracts and beyond, his path has been shaped by a drive to problem-solve and create meaningful change. Now, as a student at UIUC pursuing electrical engineering, John is navigating the challenges of transitioning from a life of certainty to one that requires new skills and dedication. Despite the challenges, including balancing academics with family life, John remains focused on his goals and continues to grow. As he looks toward the future, he’s excited about the potential opportunities that lie ahead, whether in government work or other industries where he can make an impact. We look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next.
Article written by: Baileigh Hannah