5 Ideal Career Tracks for Returning Veterans

by Rachel Murphey
Returning veterans are well-equipped to work in a variety of fields, and the government provides them with ample resources to transition into civilian work, such as grants and free tuition in some states. The military training and organized structure of the military also provide veterans with transferrable skills, such as leadership skills and experience managing high-pressure situations, both of which can be transferred to other work environments.
Law Enforcement
Many veterans work in law enforcement. Law enforcement careers, such as police officers, usually require job candidates to complete a police academy. At the academy, candidates complete physical training and textbook training. Each academy is different, but most are comparable to the training veterans have completed during basic military training.
Certification Programs
Community colleges offer certification programs that can be completed in 1-2 years. If you’re a returning service member and don’t want to spend an extensive time training for a job, then enroll in a diploma program. Some community colleges offer scholarships to veterans and their families. Medical billing and coding, HVAC technician, paralegal and bookkeeping are just a few popular certification programs.
4-Year College Degree
Many returning veterans put themselves through college using their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. If you want to earn a 4-year degree, then government funds are there to help you. Some states even offer free tuition to veterans at participating colleges.
Government Jobs
The U.S. government shows appreciation to veterans by giving them special preference status when they apply for certain state and federal jobs. USAjobs.gov is a website that allows jobseekers to apply online. Many of the jobs on the site list a veterans preference, which means they give a certain number of points to jobseekers who meet specific qualifications.
Management Positions
Because military service personnel have spent so much time taking and giving orders, they often fit well into a business environment. Veterans are used to organization and bureaucracy, which gives them the sort of managerial skills required to run a large business.
One way to begin looking at your career options is to contact the VA. The VA offers services to veteran jobseekers, including resume writing and career advice. They even assist veterans with finding veteran-friendly employers who will hire veterans and their spouses. With all of the options and support available, the sky is the limit for returning veterans transitioning into a new career.
References
Forbes
Classic Air and Heating
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs