Alex Djahankhah

Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business Online MBA

“Active duty Marine Corps officer, married with a two-year-old daughter.”

Age: 28

Hometown: Cape Coral, FL

Fun fact about yourself: I am a first-generation American and college graduate, bilingual in Spanish, and was an event photographer while studying undergrad.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Florida Gulf Coast University – Mathematics (minors in statistics and interdisciplinary studies)

ASU – MSIM and MBA

Where are you currently working? U.S. Marine Corps as a communications officer. I was stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma for three years, and I just received orders to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC, and will begin June 15.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I was the Aviation Combat Element Communications Officer for a large Marine Corps exercise: INTEGRATED EXERCISE (ITX) 2-19 in January–February 2019 aboard Twentynine Palms, CA. I led a communications section in the planning, installation, operation, and maintenance of communications equipment to enable command and control for the aviation commander. Months of planning went into the 30-day exercise and we were able to successfully hit every training objective. During the exercise, I still had to finish my CIS 575 Emerging Technologies course for my MSIM degree, whose dates aligned perfectly with the exercise. I drove to main-side Twentynine Palms in the evenings for Wi-Fi to study, watch lectures, and meet with my cohort team. I am proud that I was successful in my exercise and finished my CIS course with an A.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? It was a combination of Veteran friendliness, program reputation, and being geographically stationed in Yuma, AZ.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My cohort and going through the entire program with my team members.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I was able to study more effectively while working full-time.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I was able to watch and listen to lectures when I was most prepared. I am able to plan study time around my availability and I was able to do so more efficiently.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Trust your team and learn as much from your team as you would the study material.

What would you change about an online MBA program? I didn’t meet my MBA team members in person until graduation (and that was only two out of four of them). I’d like to see opportunities to meet in person periodically like a retreat during the program.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My online education has given me the tools necessary to feel confident about transitioning out of the military.

If you had to do it all over again, would you? Why? Yes, I would. I felt that every course was important and there was something I can take away from every subject.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I would like to transition out of the military (three years away) and begin a career in the IT or management consulting industry.

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