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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!

Preparing for a Military Transition? EC Says it Starts with Utilizing Your Military Education Benefits

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Chris Hodges Navy Education CoordinatorChris Hodges, an Education Coordinator (EC) at Allied Schools, brings real-world experience and knowledge to his career counseling and helping service members with their education options. With almost ten years of military service behind him, he knows first-hand what service members need from their career training. He can assist with their military education benefits - including military tuition assistance, GI Bill and military spouse scholarships - as well as help them get the career training to advance their civilian or military careers.


When students partner with Allied, they have access to staff members who understand what it means to an active-duty service member - and Chris Hodges is a prime example. He works with service members to understand their benefits and helps them realize the full potential of their future career. What could be better than being fully prepared for your military transition?

Chris Hodges Navy Allied Schools Education Coordinator


Here's what Chris has to say:

Q: In what branch of the military did you serve?
A: Navy

Q: How many years did you serve with the Navy?
A: Nine

Q: Where were you deployed?
A: The Persian Gulf, Tunisia, Bahrain and Sri Lanka (tsunami relief)

Q: When and why did you decide to transition to civilian life?
A: In 2008, I had accomplished what I wanted to in the Navy and wanted to focus on my family.

Q: Were you aware you had military TA benefits? If so, why did you choose not to use your benefits?
A: Yes I was aware that I had military TA available to me. I never used my TA benefits because no one really explained the whole process to me and I didn't have a firm grasp on how to take advantage of those military education benefits.

Q: Did you ever consider using TA to enhance your chances for a military promotion?
A: No

Q: Did your spouse utilize her military spouse scholarship? If so, what was her experience? If not, was she aware that she had military spouse education benefits available to her?
A: No, my wife had no idea that there were military spouse scholarships available to her for being a service member's spouse.

Q: Was your transition to civilian life difficult without the help of your military TA?
A: Yes, I found out the hard way that military experience will only take you so far. I was told so often that my experience would have employers beating down my door to hire me. That wasn't the case at all. So many employers want to see that you have some sort of education behind you.

Q: Do you think your military transition would have gone differently had you utilized your TA? If so, how?
A: I believe that it would have definitely helped me secure a job faster if I would have used my military TA to get an education. Having an education would have opened up so many more doors for me.

Q: What advice do you have for active duty military service members who are ready for their military transition?
A: Use your military TA benefits to get your self ready for your post-military career. It is a lot different than the military. A lot of employers don't care what you did in the military if you don't have education to go along with it.

Q: Knowing what you know now, where can active duty service members go to learn more about military scholarships and military friendly schools?
A: They can use their education service office on base, or any of the services military websites (AKO, NKO, etc.)

Q: When should active duty service members start planning for their civilian futures?
A: "Right now", "ASAP," "Immediately," "Right Away," etc. I cannot stress enough how important it is to utilize your military TA benefits, and with distance education available, it is super convenient.

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 9:56 AM • 0 comments

The Transition Plan

Thursday, June 7, 2007

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

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

Lance Corporal Wants to Build His Own Business

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Distance education schools are creating programs tailored to the growing needs of military service members. These schools recognize the need to provide flexible career training to help these individuals build a high-income career that helps them prepare for their future. Online courses provide them with the opportunity to learn on their own schedule from anywhere in the world.

Take Lance Corporal Ben Wiard for instance. He liked to plan ahead and decided to start planning for his post-military career during his service in the Marines. He was determined to take advantage of his available time to get the skills and training to start a business of his own.

He had a friend that took real estate classes and decided that appraisal and home inspection training were the right choice for him. Lance Corporal Wiard quickly completed his training through convenient online courses and learned how to use his appraisal and home inspection skills to build a successful business.

The military's active-duty Tuition Assistance benefit opened the door to his education. It covered 100 percent of the cost of his tuition and provided him with the option to further his career. Personalized support, quick and easy courses and valuable career skills enabled him to plan for his future.

Lance Corporal Wiard wants to build a career and be his own boss. The skills learned in his program will allow him to apply his expertise to the growing and profitable real estate field. With knowledge of the appraisal and home inspection process and business skills, he will have the tools to start a high income career.

Today, Lance Corporal Wiard has completed his training and looking forward to his future career. He has an internship set up with an appraisal company and will start building the foundation for his post-military career. He is confident that his planning will pay off and provide him with a solid opportunity when he leaves the military.

Enrolling in an online course provided him with a flexible and rewarding way to prepare for a long-term career. He was able to perform his military duties while actively planning for his future. More and more distance education schools are taking note and tailoring their programs to meet the needs of the military service member. Preparing for a new career while on active duty has never been easier!

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Posted by Heather @ 1:25 PM • 0 comments

Advance Your Career While Deployed

Monday, May 21, 2007

As an active-duty service member, you can prepare for your post-military career even when you are deployed. Convenient and flexible distance education courses make it possible to advance your career and get valuable career training when you are abroad or in a remote location. Don't let your deployment stand in the way of your future career!

Do you envision a rewarding career after the military? Do you want to get additional training that will make you an asset in the civilian workplace? Take advantage of online and traditional correspondence courses to reach your goals. You can set yourself apart form the rest with training that will make you an asset to any organization.

You are away from your family and friends serving your country. Use this time to create the perfect career! Distance education puts you in charge of your learning.

Convenient -- You can study in any location. Whether you are at a military base or out in the field, you can learn with distance education courses. Some programs provide a laptop computer that allows you to learn anywhere you choose.

Flexible -- You can learn whenever you want. Night or day, your studies are available to you. Use your spare time to build a new career. A little bit of time can lead to a solid career choice for your future.

Fast -- Career training programs offer a way to get new professional skills fast. By devoting your time to a distance education program, you can get the training you want in as little as 18 weeks! Imagine being trained as a skilled appraiser, real estate agent, home inspector or medical biller when you return home.

Affordable -- You can use Tuition Assistance to cover the cost of your tuition expenses. Most career training programs accept 100% Tuition Assistance. This means that getting started is easier than you think. You can prepare for your future career with the help of the military.

Assurance -- You can have the peace of mind that you are doing something to prepare for your future. Even though you are out of the country or in a remote location, you are building a solid foundation for your civilian career. You will be one step closer to making a smooth transition into your post-military life.

Use your deployment to get the career training you need for your future career. Distance education is the perfect way to get ahead while you are deployed and away from home. By the time return, you can be prepared for a new career.

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Posted by Heather @ 11:18 AM • 0 comments

Civilian Career Outlook

Friday, April 20, 2007

Active-duty service members want to make sure they have a solid career when they transition from the military. Choosing the right career is the first step. It is very important to select an industry that is going to offer long-term possibilities. They should consider careers with positive career outlooks from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This source provides a forecast of specific careers and industries for the next decade.

Here's an inside look at some popular industries:

Real Estate
The real estate industry is projected to experience an increase in employment opportunities over the next decade as a growing population has a greater housing need. With a robust economy, individuals will be more likely to buy a new house, or invest money into a secondary residence. Flexible work hours and high earnings potential will draw more people into this profession.

Consider a job as a licensed real estate salesperson, licensed appraiser, licensed broker, home inspector or licensed contractor!

Medical
The medical industry is projected to have the strongest employment growth of any industry within the next decade. Continued advances in technology, as well as a growing and aging population, will spur this growth and create opportunities for well-trained individuals. There will be a steady increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities throughout the United States.

Consider a job as a medical billing specialist, medical coding specialist, medical transcription specialist, medical administrative assistant, and more!

Business
The business industry is projected to have steady growth over the next decade as it continues to expand and provide additional employment needs. Opportunities will be greatest for well-rounded individuals that possess knowledge of basic computer applications and office machinery, and demonstrate solid communication skills. There will be an ample amount of full- and part-time jobs as well as temporary positions.

Consider a job as a small business manager, legal secretary, administrative assistant, or property manager; or enhance your skills with Microsoft courses or Professional QuickBooks!

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Posted by Heather @ 9:24 AM • 0 comments