U.S. Navy Project Manager Takes Villanova Certificate Courses to Prepare for Civilian Career

When Jon Nedik, a project manager with the U.S. Navy, decided to enroll in Villanova University’s online Agile and Applied Project Management certificate programs, he wanted a way to ease the transition from military to civilian life.

He also wanted to ensure that he could provide a smooth transition for his family – a wife who also serves in the U.S. Navy and his three-year-old son.

Now, after earning both certificates and a Professional Certification in Agile and Scrum from Villanova, as well as becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP)® and a Certified ScrumMaster, Nedik feels more confident about making the upcoming transition.

“I am thankful for the programs offered to military members through Villanova University,” said Nedik. “I see the advantages my education is providing me while preparing to transition to the civilian sector and I’m grateful for the opportunities Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies provides.”

From Maine to the Navy and Beyond

Nedik grew up in Augusta, Maine, part of a close-knit family with French Canadian ancestry and a strong Catholic foundation. He joined the Navy “since I could receive funding for education, be able to experience the world outside of Maine, and serve my country like many of the people in my family.”

While still in the Navy, Nedik earned an associate degree in general studies in 2008 from Howard Community College in Columbia, MD. In 2011, he earned a bachelor’s degree in sports and health sciences from American Military University (AMU). In 2017, he earned an MBA from AMU.

“At that point, I was a little over four years away from my planned retirement from the Navy and I wanted to ensure I was fully prepared both experience and education wise for a successful transition to the civilian sector,” Nedik said. His interest in leadership and business processes led him to the project management career field and the Villanova programs.

Nedik is married to a Navy reservist, and they have a three-year-old son. He spends his personal time enjoying the company of his wife and son. He’s also follows the Chicago Bears and Boston Red Sox.

“As for professional interests, I enjoy finding work in service of others. If whatever I am working on can benefit society in any way, particularly those who are underserved, I am extremely passionate about it,” Nedik said. “I love watching businesses grow, managing processes, and seeing others succeed. Any organization that has a strong foundation in the service of others is really attractive to me.”

Why He Chose Agile and Project Management

Nedik said he felt immediately drawn to the 12 principles of the Agile Manifesto because they focus on satisfying the customer early and often, teamwork, communication and simplicity.

“Agile processes are focused on delivering value frequently through collaboration and servant leadership,” he said. “I love how it’s focused on continuous improvement and maximizing the amount of work not done.”

Project management attracted Nedik because of his love of leadership, planning, processes, communication and managing budgets. He said, “All of those passions led me to go forward in my learning journey into project management. Villanova gave me a great foundational pathway into earning world-renowned certifications to pursue my passions.”

After completing the Certificate in Agile program, Nedik passed Villanova’s Professional Certification in Agile & Scrum (PCAS) exam. He said not doing so would have been a wasted opportunity.

“Any certification from a prestigious, Catholic university is too great an opportunity to pass up. Not only that, the PCAS exam gave me another great learning experience through studying for it and utilizing the online practice exams,” he said. 

He also earned his PMP® certification from the Project Management Institute, as well as the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification from Scrum Alliance. 

Applying Agile and Project Management to the Military

While he is educating himself to make a smooth transition to civilian life after leaving the military, Nedik also said that both Agile and project management apply and translate well into military leadership roles.

In terms of project management, he said many tasks taken on by military leaders are “unique, have a start and end date, and produce a deliverable.” 

Nedik added: “Whether it be individual projects taken on from the many programs I have managed in the military or the leadership of teams where each person has to be self-organizing and collaborative to achieve a goal, Agile and project management occurs throughout the military.”

Nedik said he uses his training in Agile and project management in his current role of conducting project management in software and hardware procurement and in his voluntary role as Project Management Director of Act Now Education, a career resource agency for military members and their families.  

Favorite Courses and Takeaways

Nedik said his favorite course at Villanova was the Advanced Agile Business Solutions, now called Leading Agile Teams, because of the “engaging teaching style” of instructor Mark Evans. He said Evans “created a collaborative learning environment where he ensured all students were involved and used his extensive experience to guide career decisions and get the most from the course. “

He also said the live lectures offered through the online program promoted not only engagement but also networking with others in the project management and Agile management fields.

“The high value of live interaction cannot be understated in professional development.”

Advice to Fellow Military Students

Nedik said that the flexibility of Villanova’s programs allowed him to complete work in his own time. He could complete coursework and attend live lectures without having any of it interfere with his active-duty work. 

As for advice he would give other servicemembers considering taking an online course through Villanova, Nedik said that they should know that both tuition assistance and the GI Bill® may cover a majority – and perhaps all – of a full certificate program*.

“I also regularly advise servicemembers who are considering a career in project management to propel themselves by taking advantage of Villanova’s programs,” Nedik said. “I promote it as being an outstanding learning foundation to earn industry leading certifications such as the PMP® and to add instant credibility to an employer with an educational experience through Villanova.”

PMP is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

*Information provided as to the availability and eligibility for military or veteran education assistance programs is for general informational use only. Benefit certification depends upon, among other things, your eligibility, enrollment status, and certified program of study.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

If you are interested in furthering your education – you can use your Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits for Villanova’s 100% online non-credit certificate programs, based upon your individual eligibility.

Active-duty servicemembers, Guardsmen and Reservists, veterans, spouses and dependents are also eligible to receive 15% savings per certificate course, and 10% per course on degree programs (upon verification of military status).

This reduction is valid off the standard tuition fee rate of the listed courses offered by Villanova University with online administration by Bisk. This reduction is not stackable with other reductions, and you may not use this reduction in conjunction with other reductions. Reduction is based on eligibility requirements and proof of service.