Education | Pick a Degree to Match Your Career Goals

Separating from the military, but at a loss because it seems every job you're interested in requires a degree or certification that you just didn't need in the military? Your military transition should begin with taking a look at the gap bewteen the credentials that you have and the skills that you need. Take a look at the career you would like to pursue upon leaving the military and figure out what skills, degree, or certification that you need in order to get that job. Part of your military benefits include veteran career counseling agencies' services where you are guided in picking a degree to match your career, and under the Montgomery GI Bill you can receive 36 months of higher education paid for by the federal government. Another thing to keep in mind when picking a degree to match your career, take a look at higher learning institutions that offer "life experience" credit. This means the institution will honor your military training and experience and award you one to two years of credit toward your bachelor's degree. It's never too early to get it done. If the civilian career you plan to enter into requires specific certifications, try to get what you can out of the way before you get out of uniform. This is both cost effective and will save you time once you separate from the service. It also helps your future civilian employers see that your military experience really does match your civilian career. Remember, you don't have to do it alone. Career counselors and education service officers at your nearest base or installation can help you on the road to picking a degree to match your career.