When Jared Watson was troubleshooting aircraft maintenance issues in the Marine Corps, he probably didn’t realize he was developing the exact problem-solving framework he’d later use to rescue delayed supplier programs at Lockheed Martin. But that’s exactly the kind of skill translation that makes his story compelling, and why he chose Texas McCombs’ MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth program to accelerate his civilian career.
As the McCombs Ambassador Committee (MAC) Veteran Chair for the Dallas program, Watson represents a growing population of veterans who are finding that professional MBA programs offer the perfect bridge between military experience and business leadership. His journey from a first-generation college student to Marine Corps veteran, then to becoming an aerospace professional, illustrates how the right educational framework can unlock the leadership potential veterans bring to the civilian workforce.
The Real-World Laboratory Advantage
Watson’s decision to pursue a professional MBA rather than a full-time program came down to practical wisdom. “I wanted a program that would push me academically while allowing me to stay active in my career,” he explains. “Continuing to work was important to me, both for financial stability and for the real-world perspective it provides.”
This approach is paying dividends as he transitions into a new role at Raytheon while completing his studies. Rather than seeing his coursework and career as competing priorities, Watson treats them as complementary experiences. “I focus on the overlap between my coursework and my new responsibilities; they feed each other more than they compete.”
For working professionals considering MBA programs, Watson’s strategy offers a valuable model. The ability to immediately apply classroom concepts in professional settings creates a reinforcement loop that benefits both academic performance and career advancement.
Military Skills in Civilian Translation
One of Watson’s key insights involves the translation challenge that many veterans face when entering civilian careers. “Don’t leave your military experience behind when you step into business,” he advises fellow veterans. “The leadership and problem-solving skills you built in uniform are exactly what organizations need, but it’s on you to translate that experience into terms the civilian world understands.”
His approach to high-pressure situations exemplifies this translation process. While his classmates might still be learning stress management techniques, Watson draws on aircraft maintenance experience, where “everything feels urgent,” to stay focused on controllable factors and clear communication.
The structured problem-solving methodology he developed in the Marines proved directly applicable when a supplier at Lockheed Martin fell behind on a critical subsystem. “I approached it like troubleshooting a mechanical problem in the Marines—identify the root cause, lay out a step-by-step recovery plan, and pull in the right people to get things back on track.”
Breaking the Rigidity Misconception
Watson actively works to counter common misconceptions about veterans in business settings. “A common misconception is that veterans are too rigid or overly structured,” he notes. “The truth is that most of us learned how to adapt quickly because the environment demanded it. We’re used to solving problems with limited resources and working with people from all kinds of backgrounds.”
His leadership style emphasizes what he calls “decisive communication”—being direct, setting clear expectations, and helping teams move forward with confidence. This approach has proven effective both in academic group projects and professional team management.
The Professional Program Advantage
For working professionals evaluating MBA options, Watson’s experience highlights the unique value proposition of programs designed for career advancement rather than career transition. Texas McCombs offers three professional programs, Evening MBA in Austin, MBA at Houston, and MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth, each designed to accommodate working professionals’ schedules living in their respective metro areas while maintaining academic rigor.
The structure allows students like Watson to build immediate bridges between theoretical learning and practical application. His ability to test classroom concepts in real professional situations while maintaining career momentum represents the kind of integrated development that makes professional MBA programs particularly valuable for experienced professionals.
Looking Forward
As Watson prepares to begin his role at Raytheon while completing his MBA, his experience offers a practical roadmap for other working professionals considering advanced education. His success stems not from choosing between career advancement and academic achievement, but from finding a program structure that supports both simultaneously.
For veterans specifically, Watson’s journey demonstrates how the right MBA program can serve as a translation tool, helping them communicate their considerable leadership and problem-solving experience in terms that civilian organizations understand and value.
The combination of military discipline, professional experience, and business education creates a powerful foundation for leadership advancement. As Watson puts it, “The MBA gives you that bridge, it teaches you how to take what you’ve done and communicate it in a way that moves people and drives results.”
Ready to begin your MBA journey? Learn more about the Hildebrand MBA at Texas McCombs. For detailed information about application components and deadlines, check out our Application Process page.
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