As the U.S. Navy's attaché to the Republic of Panama, Lt. Commander Jose Morales is used to shouldering heavy responsibilities. Asked to describe his job, he humbly replies, "I represent the U.S. Navy in the country." Now, through Penn State's World Campus, Morales is taking on a new challenge — pursuing an MBA online.

"I wanted a better grounding in the world of business," he says, "and pursuing an MBA seemed like a very natural and very solid grounding for my second career."

Morales has spent the last sixteen years of his life serving his country as a military professional. Four years from now, he plans to retire from the service and move into the private sector. Penn State's innovative, online iMBA program, he explains, is helping him to prepare for the change.

"Because of the iMBA course work and the classmate networking opportunities," he says, "I am much more confident that my upcoming career transition will be a highly successful one."

Born in Bowie, Maryland, Morales grew up as a self-described "army brat." Throughout his military career, he has earned a bachelor's degree in systems technology and a master's in political science from the U.S. Naval Academy. Adding an MBA from Penn State to his already impressive résumé is a way for Morales to make important contacts with business people outside the realm of the military.

"A lot of the problems that face business leaders are the same as those in government service," he says, "but the language is different. The 'bottom line' is a bigger deal."

The World Campus made it possible for Morales to develop the business acumen and make valuable relationships with other business people from all over the world, while living and working overseas.

When he's not busy representing the U.S. Navy to the government of Panama, or studying, Jose Morales enjoys spending time with his wife and two children on the beautiful coastline of the country where he is stationed.