The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for veterans dropped to 4.3% in 2016, even as personnel transition out of the military. This indicates that more jobs are becoming available for those with military experience. But which fields offer the best opportunities?
Careers That Value Military Skills
Veterans searching for a civilian career that allows them to use skills they developed in the military should carefully consider these professions:
- Military Psychology: Veterans are well aware of the mental and emotional stress placed on those serving in the military. Military psychologists help members of the military and their loved ones cope with these issues, and work ensure servicemembers are in peak mental and emotional health. Entering this field requires a bachelor’s degree, and those who want to advance into clinical practice will need a master’s or doctorate.
- Police Officer: Police officers protect and serve the public, which is similar in many ways to what servicemembers do every day. These professionals may work in a wide variety of areas, such as street crime, robbery, narcotics or homicide. The educational requirement to enter this field varies from department to department, but a bachelor’s degree is increasingly becoming the standard.
- Information Security Analyst: These IT professionals plan and implement security measures to keep computer systems, networks and data secure. They’re responsible for keeping up with the latest technologies used to thwart security breaches, data loss and service interruptions. Most information security analysts have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, engineering or a related field.
- Auditor: Veterans can transition the organizational and analytical skills they acquired in the military into a rewarding career as an auditor. These finance professionals ensure the accuracy of a company’s financial operations, and offer cost-cutting recommendations and revenue-generating measures. A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum required education for an auditor.
- Cargo and Freight Agent: The attention to detail and ability to follow complex orders most servicemembers develop can serve as the foundation for several careers. One of these is a cargo and freight agent – the professionals responsible for ensuring goods are delivered on time, orders are correct and products remain in good condition. Earning a business administration bachelor’s degree can be helpful for advancement in this field.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs from NEC
NEC offers a wide variety of degree programs that can help veterans build on the skills they learned in the military and turn them into a rewarding career. Our online programs provide the flexibility to fit classes into a schedule already busy with work, family and other responsibilities.
NEC has degree programs that can help veterans get the education they need pursue the career paths mentioned above, including:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
Veterans can take advantage of these programs to start learning anytime, from anywhere they have an internet connection.
The faculty and staff of NEC would like to thank all servicemembers and veterans. As a number transition into the civilian workforce, we encourage them to take advantage of education benefits like the GI Bill® to pursue a college degree. It can be the ideal path to a great career for those who have already worked so hard and sacrificed so much.
*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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.