Jobs for Veterans: How to Translate Your Military Career to a Civilian Job
by Kathy Seaton
Veterans returning home after years of active duty have a unique set of invaluable skills that can be applied to a variety of civilian jobs. Some veterans can enter directly into a civilian career that is similar to the job they held in the military while others may want to pursue a degree or certificate program through the GI Bill.
Here are some of the most rewarding jobs for veterans right now that can be obtained via a certificate program.
- Project Manager
Veterans with natural leadership skills who are experienced in planning, budgeting, overseeing and documenting projects from start to finish are perfect for project management roles within any organization. A project manager not only works closely with middle and upper management to execute important tasks but functions independently too.
In fact, you can even help serve other veterans by joining the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a project manager. According to PayScale, a general project manager makes an average salary of about $61,000. A certificate and PMP® certification can help prepare vets for this role in a corporate environment.
- IT Specialist
A career in information technology is perfect for veterans who have worked with computer systems and are technology enthusiasts in their free time. Positions in IT require a keen sense for problem-solving and the ability to perform under pressure, both of which are skills that many veterans have acquired in the military.
The average salary for IT specialists is $52,391 according to PayScale and can lead to multiple career paths toward director of information technology, senior systems administrator, chief information officer, and other senior level positions. IT certificates and other training programs are preferred for all levels of applicants.
- Systems Engineer or Technician
This position is perfect for veterans who held infrastructure jobs within the military. They will feel right at home managing and monitoring installed networks, as well as configuring, testing and maintaining operating systems, application software, and system management tools.
According to PayScale, a systems engineer makes a median salary of $66,813. Veterans looking to apply for these positions would benefit from a communications systems engineering certificate to help them learn how to apply their knowledge to the corporate workforce from professors who hold practical skills and experience in the field.
- Business Analyst
Some of the responsibilities for this role include documenting the business processes and systems within an organization, as well as assessing the business model and its integration with technology. This role is excellent for a veteran who has experience in determining solutions to business problems.
Business analysts are found in any industry imaginable, from architecture to agriculture, with an average salary of $58,923 according to PayScale. Consider enrolling in a business analyst certificate program to understand how to work as the organization’s liaison between the client, stakeholders, IT and solutions teams.
- Paralegal
Paralegals are a vital part of the justice system. According to Business News Daily, veterans familiar with the legal process from their experience in military courts can easily apply this knowledge at law firms.
With legal expenses on the rise, more and more people are seeking paralegals for assistance with legal services that do not require a lawyer. A paralegal can earn an average salary of $44,579 according to PayScale — and there’s plenty of room for growth, especially with an ABA-approved paralegal certificate.
This list is just a short compilation of jobs veterans can obtain with their prior experience and additional education through a certificate program. Skills learned in the service, such as problem-solving and making quick decisions, are in-demand skills the civilian job market desperately needs. Begin translating your military service into a civilian job today.