The Ultimate Guide for Veterans and Active Military: Education and Career Resources
- Zhada Ray
- Jul 13, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Aug 23, 2024
So... you're actually leaving? Are you ready to trade the everyday uniform for... making choices on what to wear?
Don't worry. Leaving the Armed Forces lifestyle can either be scary or relieving, but oftentimes... both.
Here are some AFI-quality translations to help you adjust:
Don't say: "Going to the latrine."
Say: "Going to the water closet/ bathroom/ restroom." Ugh... choices...
Don't ask: "Tracking?"
Ask: "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Now, "Rog" will become part of your personal brand
But best of all, you are no longer 'standard issue'
You have the freedom to no longer 'standby'
Whew... what an extensive list. Do you feel adequately prepared to start your civilian career now? No? I need to start doing a better job. Ok, Air Force/ Marines / Army / Navy / Coast Guard / Space Force veterans, this post is for you.
To redirect my career path, I have been researching career growth opportunities for veterans. As a result, I decided to do my favorite thing: teach others what I've learned.
Below, I've compiled a list of organizations and programs dedicated to helping veterans succeed in their careers. If you have questions about these programs, please contact them directly. I'm not a recruiter, nor do I work for any of these organizations. Again, I'm simply here to share valuable resources that could make a difference in your life. So, send this link to every veteran you know. And if you're interested in a resume template or other resources, check out my shop.
Ok, keep scrolling!
LinkedIn Premium
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is often considered the most underrated social media network today. While it was founded in 2002 and launched in 2003, LinkedIn has gradually evolved into a powerful platform. Initially known as the go-to site for posting resumes and finding jobs, it has grown to offer much more.
Per LinkedIn website:
"LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network on the internet.
You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. You can access LinkedIn from a desktop, LinkedIn mobile app, or mobile web experience.
A complete LinkedIn profile can help you connect with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story through experience, skills, and education.
You can also use LinkedIn to organize offline events, join groups, write articles, post photos and videos, and more."
What is LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn is free to use. However, to access the features listed below, you'll need to either subscribe monthly or gain free access through your affiliation with the US military.
Benefits of Premium:
Learning Courses: Access thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses to develop new skills and stay updated with industry trends.
InMail Messaging: Send direct messages to any LinkedIn user, even if you're not connected, increasing your networking and outreach capabilities.
Profile Views: See who has viewed your profile, which can provide insights into who is interested in your professional background and help you connect with potential employers or partners.
Enhanced Search Filters: Use advanced search filters to find the right people, jobs, or companies more efficiently and effectively.
Job Application Insights: Get insights on how you rank against other applicants for job postings, helping you tailor your applications more effectively.
Premium Badge: Display a LinkedIn Premium badge on your profile, signaling to recruiters and connections that you are serious about your professional development.
Unlimited Browsing: Browse profiles in private mode and get unlimited browsing of profiles, allowing you to explore potential connections without limitations.
Should you join LinkedIn Premium?
Reasons why you should join LinkedIn Premium:
You're eager to expand your professional network.
You're serious about advancing your career.
You want access to enhanced job search tools and insights.
You aim to stand out to recruiters and employers.
You're interested in professional development resources like LinkedIn Learning.
You want to send InMail messages to connect with anyone on LinkedIn.
You need detailed insights into who's viewed your profile.
You want to showcase your skills and achievements more effectively.
Reasons why you should not join LinkedIn Premium:
You're hoping to find a date through LinkedIn.
You prefer to keep your professional and personal life separate.
You enjoy the challenge of networking without advanced tools.
You're content with the basic LinkedIn features.
You believe your skills speak for themselves without extra promotion.
You're allergic to networking jargon like "synergy" and "connectivity."
You're already overwhelmed with emails and messages.
You're confident that recruiters will find you regardless.
Active Duty: How to get free LinkedIn Premium?
While you are Active Duty, you can use LinkedIn for 100% free. Click the link below:
Veterans: How to get free LinkedIn Premium?
As a veteran, you can get LinkedIn with LinkedIn learning completely for free for one year. Following the link below:
https://socialimpact.linkedin.com/programs/veterans/premiumform
Coursera
What is Coursera?
Coursera is an online learning platform founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. It offers a wide range of courses, specializations, and degrees from top universities and companies worldwide. With Coursera, you can access high-quality education in various fields, including technology, business, and arts, all from the comfort of your home. The platform caters to lifelong learners, professionals seeking career advancement, and anyone interested in gaining new skills.
Benefits of using Coursera?
Joining Coursera offers numerous benefits. It provides access to courses from prestigious institutions like Yale, Stanford, and Google, ensuring top-tier education. You can learn at your own pace, making it flexible for busy schedules. Coursera also offers specializations and professional certificates to boost your resume and career prospects. With a variety of courses across disciplines, you can continually expand your knowledge and skills, staying relevant in an ever-evolving job market.
Should you join Coursera?
Reasons why you should join Coursera:
Learn at your own pace with flexible scheduling
Affordable learning with many free courses available
Earn certificates and specializations to enhance your resume
Wide variety of courses across multiple disciplines
Opportunities to advance your career or switch fields
Reasons why you should not join Coursera:
Preference for in-person, interactive learning environments
Online learning can feel isolating without face-to-face interaction
Requires strong self-discipline and time management skills
Limited hands-on, practical experiences in some courses
Not all courses offer college credit or formal recognition
Examples of courses you could take on Coursera?
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Certificate
IBM Data Science
Microsoft BI Data Analytics
Python for Everybody
Machine Learning by Andrew Ng
Organizations helping Veterans get Coursera for free
Career Resources for Transitioning and Development
VetsinTech
Access to various technical courses
VetsinTech supports veterans with free access to courses such as Data Science, Web Development, Machine Learning, and more. It focuses on education, resources, and job opportunities in the tech sector, providing veterans the tools they need to succeed.
Pros: Free resources, extensive networking, and training opportunities.
Cons: Limited to tech sector, competitive.
Onward to Opportunity (O2O)
Career training and certification
O2O offers free career training and certification in IT, project management, and customer service. It provides LinkedIn Premium access and job placement support, helping veterans transition smoothly to civilian careers.
Pros: Free training, certification, job placement support, Syracuse University alumni.
Cons: Specific career fields, requires participation in courses.
Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program
Professional training and mentorship
This program includes PMP certification training and provides transitioning service members with mentorship and networking opportunities. It aims to prepare participants for civilian careers with comprehensive resources.
Pros: Professional training, mentorship, networking, free LinkedIn access
Cons: Limited to transitioning service members
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
Career readiness program
The VR&E program helps veterans transition into career fields that accommodate their disabilities, providing personalized services like career counseling, training, and job placement. It offers a range of benefits, including education and vocational training, to ensure veterans can achieve meaningful employment and a smooth transition to civilian life.
Pros: Professional training, mentorship, networking, pay for classes and requirements
Cons: Must have a disability rating, acceptance depends on counselor/representative
Veterans Transition Support (VTS)
Professional training and mentorship
The VTS goal is to seamlessly transition all military personnel who enter the Veterans Transition Support program prior to leaving military service through individual mentoring, career management, counseling, and weekend and evening programs that close skill gaps and provide networking opportunities with civilian hiring managers.
Pros: Professional training, mentorship, networking, free Coursera access
Cons: Limited to transitioning service members
ActNow
Access to various courses and job boards
ACTNow provides veterans with free access to advanced technology training. This program offers courses in coding, cybersecurity, and IT, tailored to the needs of veterans. ACTNow collaborates with industry leaders to ensure relevant, up-to-date training, helping veterans transition smoothly into tech careers and meet the demands of modern employers.
Pros: Professional training courses, free Coursera access, Facebook group
Cons: Must attend Saturday orientation
VetTec
Funding for training in high-demand tech fields
VetTec is a VA initiative that funds veterans to gain training in high-demand tech fields like coding, data science, and cybersecurity. It covers full tuition for approved programs and provides a housing stipend during the training period. VetTec partners with leading tech schools to ensure veterans receive a quality education that can lead to lucrative careers in technology.
Pros: Only requires one day of GI bill left
Cons: The program was discontinued in April. Possibly re-introduced in the future
Four Block
Comprehensive career readiness for veterans
FourBlock is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans transition to civilian careers. Their Career Readiness Program spans 10 weeks, providing veterans with industry-specific knowledge, networking opportunities, and personalized mentorship. FourBlock partners with top companies and universities to ensure veterans receive the skills and connections needed for a successful career transition. Must attend orientation.
Pros: Comprehensive career readiness program, Strong industry partnerships for networking, Virtual and in-person programs
Cons: Time commitment of 10 weeks
Troops to Teachers
Funding for training veterans to become teachers
Troops to Teachers (TTT) is a DANTES program that assists veterans in transitioning to a career in education. It provides counseling, financial assistance, and resources for training and certification in teaching. The program aims to place veterans in high-need schools, offering a pathway to a rewarding post-military career in education.
Pros: Supports career transition with financial aid, guidance for certification and placement
Cons: Requires a commitment to teaching in high-need schools
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
This program is not just limited to veterans. Below is information directly from their website:
"AWS Educate offers hundreds of hours of self-paced training and resources for new-to-cloud learners—including hands-on labs in the AWS Management Console. Our easy-to-navigate and adaptive user experience guides you to targeted training content based on your knowledge, goals, interests, and age."
Vet Jobs
VetJobs provides a comprehensive job board and career resources for veterans. It offers free access to job listings, resume writing services, and career counseling. VetJobs also partners with organizations to offer training programs and certifications, ensuring that veterans have the tools they need to secure meaningful employment in various industries.
Vetari
Veteran mentorship for career success
Veterati offers a free mentorship platform connecting veterans and military spouses with experienced professionals in various industries. Through one-on-one phone calls, veterans receive personalized career advice, resume reviews, and job search strategies. The platform allows users to choose mentors based on their career goals, ensuring tailored support and guidance.
Pros: Personalized mentorship and career advice
Cons: Mentorship effectiveness varies based on mentor-mentee match
Technology and Coding Programs
Why study technology and coding?
Studying technology and coding opens up vast career opportunities, especially for veterans. The tech industry constantly needs skilled professionals, offering stability, high salaries, and flexibility. With a strong foundation in coding, veterans can leverage their problem-solving skills and discipline to thrive in this dynamic and rewarding field.
Free Code Camp
Free credentialing and portfolio building for non-profits
FreeCodeCamp.org offers veterans free access to coding tutorials and projects that build a portfolio while helping non-profits. The program covers various programming languages and development frameworks, making it an ideal starting point for a tech career.
Pros: Free access, real-world projects, flexible learning.
Cons: Self-paced may lack structure, no formal certification.
VetsWhoCode
Nonprofit coding boot camps for veterans
VetsWhoCode provides free coding bootcamps focused on web development and software engineering. With a strong emphasis on mentorship and job placement, this program ensures veterans are equipped for tech industry success.
Pros: Free, mentorship, job placement support.
Cons: Limited to certain coding skills, competitive admission.
SkillBridge
Department of Defense job training program
SkillBridge allows Active Duty service members to gain civilian work experience through internships and training during their last 3-6 months of service. Partnering with various companies, it provides hands-on training in diverse fields, including tech.
Pros: Direct work experience, wide range of industries.
Cons: Limited to last 3-6 months of service, requires command approval.
Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA)
Training in software development and cybersecurity
MSSA offers training in software development, cloud administration, and cybersecurity for transitioning service members. The 17-week program includes Microsoft certifications and prepares veterans for high-demand IT careers.
Pros: High-quality training, Microsoft certification, job placement support.
Cons: Intensive schedule, requires transition within six months.
VetTec
VA-funded technology training
VetTec funds technology courses in fields like software development, user experience, data science, and more. Covering tuition and providing housing stipends, VetTec helps veterans build tech careers without financial burden.
**This program ended in Spring 2024. However, pay attention to the news. There have been talks of bringing it back permanently with stipulations.
Pros: Comprehensive funding, high-demand tech skills, housing stipend.
Cons: Requires VA eligibility, competitive program acceptance.
Code Platoon
Code Platoon offers a full-time, immersive coding bootcamp for veterans. The program includes training in software development, job placement assistance, and scholarships. This program accepts the GI Bill and VR&E.
Cybersecurity Programs
Why study cybersecurity?
Veterans are uniquely positioned to excel in cybersecurity, a field facing a significant labor shortage. With an estimated gap of 3.4 million professionals globally, demand is skyrocketing. Studying cybersecurity offers veterans a chance to secure high-demand jobs, protect critical information, and use their strategic skills in a crucial and evolving industry.
USF Cybersecurity Program for Veterans
Free cybersecurity training by the University of South Florida
This program offers extensive training in network security, ethical hacking, and risk management. Designed to equip veterans with the skills needed to protect digital infrastructures, it opens doors to high-demand tech jobs.
Pros: Free, comprehensive coverage, industry-relevant.
Cons: Specific to cybersecurity.
SANS VetSuccess Immersion Academy
Intensive cybersecurity training and certification
SANS VetSuccess provides hands-on training and certifications in cybersecurity. The program includes mentoring and career services, ensuring veterans are well-prepared for cybersecurity roles.
Pros: High-quality training, certifications, and career support.
Cons: Intensive, selective admission.
CyberVetsUSA
Free cybersecurity courses and certifications
CyberVetsUSA offers training and certification programs in cybersecurity for veterans and military spouses. The initiative focuses on closing the cybersecurity talent gap by equipping participants with essential skills.
Pros: Free, comprehensive training, accessible to spouses.
Cons: Competitive, specific to cybersecurity.
Educational Benefits
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Financial assistance for higher education
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition, provides a monthly housing allowance, and offers a stipend for books and supplies, helping veterans pursue higher education or technical training.
Pros: Comprehensive financial support, wide coverage.
Cons: Eligibility criteria, limited benefits duration.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Supplementary tuition coverage
The Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover additional tuition and fee costs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, available to veterans attending participating schools.
Pros: Additional financial support, reduces out-of-pocket costs.
Cons: Limited to participating schools, varies by institution.
Did you find anything that piqued your interest? Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates and information. If you know any other resources, comment below! Your fellow veterans will thank you. I'll see you soon.
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