Petty Officer 2nd Class, Antonio B. Jones Jr.
Welcome to Baker College’s Spotlight feature, a series of brief interviews with notable BC students, faculty and alumni who are making news and reaching new heights in their educational and professional pursuits.
This edition of Spotlight features Petty Officer 2nd Class, Antonio B. Jones Jr., a 2021 Baker College BBA graduate. Jones, a personnel specialist with the Navy Talent Acquisition Group in Pittsburgh, Penn, recently received the National Recruiting Award for Support Person of the Year. Here we learn more about Antonio and his professional path and passions.
Baker College (BC): Thanks for your time, Antonio, we appreciate you sharing your experiences with our readers. First, tell us a little bit about your time at/degree from Baker College.
Antonio Jones (AJ): I started out with an interest in studying Early Childhood Education in 2012, but switched to Business Administration by 2014. I attended in-person classes until 2015, when I enrolled in the Navy. I just recently completed my bachelor’s degree through Baker Online in December 2021.
BC: Congratulations on your degree! And thank you for your service to our country. Why was Baker College the right choice for you when it came to your higher education?
AJ: When I first enrolled at Baker College, it was to stay close to my family. Looking back, I don’t think I was mentally ready to leave my hometown/the Flint, Mich. area at that time.
BC: Currently, you are calling Pittsburgh home, where you are serving in the U.S. Navy. Tell us about your job and some of your responsibilities?
AJ: When it comes to my day-to-day responsibilities as the leading petty officer for the administrative department for Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Pittsburgh, I help with processing items such as general correspondence, retirements, travel claims, awards, evaluations and fitness reports. I also help train and mentor senior and junior Sailors, and have cross-trained civilians on the daily operations of NTAG Pittsburgh’s administrative department.
BC: And what first inspired you to join the Navy?
AJ: I joined the Navy to travel the world, and to start planting some new roots outside of Flint. Growing up in Flint, people can get stuck or complacent, and I chose a different path. If I had stayed, I feel like life would have passed me by.
BC: We’re happy to see the success you’re enjoying as you spread your wings. What do you like best about your current job/career?
AJ: When it comes to my career in the Navy, what I enjoy most is getting to know the other Sailors around me. These experiences have helped me build a network of relationships that will last a lifetime.
BC: Conversely, what do you find most challenging?
AJ: Maintaining a successful balance between work and school online was one challenge that stands out to me. The quicker pace of online classes, combined with my day-to-day work deadlines, taught me to manage things more efficiently.
BC: And it’s clear that you are succeeding in your efforts, as we understand that you were recently named Navy Recruiting Command National Support Person of the Year. Tell us about this honor.
AJ: It is amazing to be selected to represent the Navy as the National Support Person of the Year (fiscal year 2021), especially given my humble beginnings. I just love helping people, and am honored that my attention to my duties is being recognized in this way.
BC: Congratulations again on all of your recent achievements, including your bachelor’s degree from Baker College. What best piece of advice would you pass along to current college students?
AJ: Don’t let what others may say about you dictate your future.
BC: Thank you again, Antonio, for your insights today and for your years of continued military service.
To learn about Baker College’s business program options, head to our College of Business webpage.