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Military Education News And Info

Stay up-to-date with news and information about your military education. You can get the information you need to make informed decisions about your online and military correspondence programs. Learn what's going on with military education and how you can make a smooth military transition. Your civilian career awaits you!

Military Service Members Make Good Civilian Employees

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Each year over 250,000 military personnel and families leave their respective service and enter civilian life. While some decide to retire, most people intend to start a new career. The goal is to make a smooth transition from active military life to a new life in the corporate world.

There's good news. Corporate America wants to hire former military service members to join the ranks of its workforce. Recruiters often visit military bases looking for transitioning individuals to fill positions in their companies. Why? Many of the same skills service members develop and hone in the military are the ones that are valued and rewarded in the civilian workplace.

Service members possess many of the following characteristics:

Strong leadership skills

Ability to perform under pressure

Strong work ethic/loyalty

Keen attention to detail

Solid training

Goal-oriented

Driven to succeed

Familiar with operations/equipment

Employers know that they are going to get knowledgeable, reliable and professional employees when they hire military personnel. With many Baby Boomers starting to think about retirement, there are a lot of opportunities available for qualified individuals. A solid military background along with post-military career training can give many people an edge when it comes to finding a job in today's business environment.

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Posted by Heather @ 10:05 AM • 0 comments

The Military Helps with Your Transition

Thursday, June 7, 2007

When it comes to your transition, you can count on the military to help you reach your goals. You have resources available to you:

Transition Assistance -- There are transition offices available to help you separate from the military in a smooth and easy manner. These offices are available through each branch of the military and offer valuable information and resources to help you move into your new career.

Prepare yourself for life after the military with an easy transition.

Tuition Assistance -- This is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has granted each service the ability to pay up to 100% of the tuition expenses of its members. Check with your branch to determine the criteria for eligibility, obligated service, and application process.

Find out if you are eligible for Tuition Assistance and get 100% of your education costs paid.

Relocation Assistance -- If you are moving to a new area, the military provides information and counseling to assist you in making informed decisions. You will get assistance with determining the job potential, assessing the affordability, researching the community, and planning your move.

Determine where you'd like to live and create an effective plan.

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Posted by Heather @ 8:27 AM • 0 comments

The Transition Plan

The Transition Plan: A formal plan that elaborates the steps to be taken to move military personnel into their civilian lives.

There are many options and services available to you when you leave the military and embark on a civilian career. It is important to create a transition plan that details your career goals and specific steps to reach those goals.

You need to create a successful and marketable plan. This includes a step-by-step strategy to build your new career. From assessing your military skills to acquiring new career training and writing an effective resume, you can prepare for your military to civilian transition.

A solid plan will give your civilian career direction, and help alleviate any overwhelming or confused feelings you may have about your future. The military provided you with a strong skill set and favorable job traits. A transition plan can arm you with the extra training you need to become a professional in the civilian workplace.

Your transition plan should include your strategy to acquire the following skills:

1. Career training
2. Job preparation skills
3. Networking

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Posted by Heather @ 8:13 AM • 0 comments

Solid Career Training for Your Future

Be confident that many of the managing, motivating and maneuvering skills you learned in the military are applicable to the civilian workplace. With this solid skill set in place, it's just a matter of building on this foundation and getting new job skills.

Step 1 Make a list of your military skills.

Write down your job title and duties from your military service. Include detailed tasks that you were required to perform. Be specific. Incorporate skills, qualifications, experience, awards, education and anything that is relevant to your military career.

Step 2 Determine how those skills translate to the civilian workplace.

Match your military skills to jobs or professions outside of the military. You can use a military occupational classification (MOC) guide to help you identify these jobs. This information is readily available via the Internet, resource guides and books. It will help you translate your job duties into civilian language.

Step 3 Get the extra skills you need.

You can acquire the additional skills that will make you marketable in your post-military career. Consider combining your current skills with the education of a civilian profession. Choose something with long-term potential, such as a real estate salesperson, home inspector, small business owner, or medical billing specialist. Your military training and new career skills will make you a well-rounded addition to the civilian workforce.

- Choose a viable career: Get an education to start a long-term career.
- Consider a vocational school: Get the skills you need in a short period of time.
- Select the distance education option: Get your career training when and where you want.

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Posted by Heather @ 8:10 AM • 0 comments

Job Preparation Skills

Once you complete your career training, you need to focus on your job search. This is a vital part of the transition process when you bridge your military career with your new civilian career. Proper research and preparation will help you ease into your new role. Find a school that offers job assistance to make your transition easier.

Goal: To make a successful transition from the military into a long-term career.

Cover Letter -- This is the first impression you provide to a potential employer. Provide a concise description of how your skills will apply to a particular position in a company. Make it clear how your military experience is applicable to this job and what unique experience you can bring to a company.

Resume -- This is a culmination of your work experience. Create an effective summary of your job history by listing all of the relevant work you have performed. Try to avoid using military terms, jargon and acronyms that employers will not know. Make your resume reader-friendly. Incorporate any awards, recognitions and achievements.

Interviewing Skills -- If you create an effective cover letter and resume, this will be the next step. Make sure you are prepared by practicing your answers to common interview questions. Dress in appropriate attire and conduct yourself in a professional manner.

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Posted by Heather @ 8:08 AM • 0 comments

Service Members Must Network

Sometimes the expression, "it's who you know," is true when it comes to your job search. By meeting people involved in an industry, you can gain valuable insight into a profession and get your name out. This will help you build a network of contacts. You never know, one of those contacts might be trying to fill a position or able to give you a job lead.

Important Networking Tips

Get organized -- Prepare a summary of your skills and the type of position you want.
Set realistic goals -- Create a plan for yourself that's easy to reach, such as obtaining three or four new contacts a week.
Be prepared -- Effectively communicate your strengths and career goals.
Be organized -- Keep a record of each person you've spoken to, including their full name, phone number and/or e-mail, plus notes from your conversation.
Follow up -- Make sure to thank a contact for his or her time, and stay in touch on a regular basis.

Networking can be an invaluable resource and help you with your job search. And while you're still in the service, don't forget to take advantage of 100% Military Tuition Assistance, which allows you to enroll in military education courses at no cost to you.

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Posted by Heather @ 8:05 AM • 0 comments