When Marcus Johnson graduated from Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota, he assumed he would follow the familiar path to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, just like many of his friends and family members. But as the end of senior year approached, he found himself wrestling with a bigger question: What did he actually want to do?
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do at all,” Marcus said. “I was really just going because all my friends were going, and it’s where my parents had gone.”
At the same time, the financial reality of college began to weigh on him. Taking on significant debt without a clear direction didn’t feel right. So, he started searching for accessible and affordable alternatives, options that would allow him to gain real-world experience while continuing his education.
That search led him to Normandale Community College and its apprenticeship program through Aon, a global professional services firm that focuses on risk capital and human capital.
“I literally Googled it,” he laughed. “I was looking for jobs, apprenticeships, or something where I could work and get my degree at the same time. This was perfect because I got my school paid for, and I was also getting professional work experience.” Marcus began Normandale’s Aon Apprenticeship Program in August 2022 while attending Normandale as a full-time student. For the next two years, he balanced college coursework with a demanding role at Aon’s Bloomington office, working in risk management and insurance.
“It’s a lot of work,” he said. “You must do well in classes but also handle a full workload. And you’re constantly learning because most of us had never worked in corporate America before and didn’t know anything about insurance, risk management or even work-life balance.” Despite the challenge, Marcus says the experience gave him a powerful early advantage, professionally and personally.
“I would 100% recommend Normandale’s Aon Apprenticeship program” he said. “It was a great opportunity to learn from experts in the field and gain real world experience. I’m still at Aon because of the continued opportunities for growth.” At Normandale, Marcus also appreciated the diversity of the campus community, the smaller class sizes, and the support he received from professors and staff.
“My professors were really great,” he said. “I liked the diversity and the smaller classes. The college felt more personal.”
Because he was working nearly full time, Marcus wasn’t heavily involved in campus activities. Still, Normandale’s flexibility allowed him to earn his associate degree in 2024 while continuing to grow within his company. After graduating, he took a semester to focus on work before transferring to Augsburg University to complete his bachelor’s degree.
Marcus continued working part time at Aon while finishing his bachelor’s degree, graduating just a few weeks ago in May 2026. Today, he works on the sales team as a Business Development Specialist focused on office growth, while also working with the Account Executive/Management team to support client work. This summer, he is spending time working at Aon’s headquarters in Chicago as he explores new opportunities and continues building his career and network.
Looking back, Marcus says one of the most important lessons he learned was the value of connecting with professors and speaking up. “Professors are always so chill and supportive,” he said. “College and professors can feel intimidating at first, but building those relationships really helps.”
For students considering a similar path, Marcus believes the combination of education and hands-on experience can be transformative, if they’re ready to put in the effort.
“It’s not easy,” he said. “But if you’re willing to put in the work, it will set you up for success in the future.”
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