The transition from military life to civilian life is often difficult for many veterans, particularly when trying to find suitable employment. One way to tackle the issue is to go back to college and earn a degree. The following advice may help you on your journey.

Benefits of Going Back to College

Many colleges offer programs specifically for ex-military. Here, veterans are among peers who share the same experiences, which helps build a community spirit. Many veterans find that returning to college after serving in the armed forces helps ease the transition into civilian life. 

Your job opportunities vastly increase when armed with a degree. Earnings are substantially higher, too, compared to those who possess only a high school diploma. Annually, if you have a bachelor’s degree, you can earn $32,000 more than someone with a high school diploma.

At college, you have the opportunity to learn something completely new. Things you had no interest in when joining the military may now seem highly appealing. Learning new skills and using them in the professional world can help you earn a considerable annual income.

Veteran-Friendly College Degrees

Due to your unique military experiences, you may be better suited to some jobs. The following degrees can help you obtain the credentials required for your chosen career:

• Criminal justice. This degree is for veterans who want a career in law enforcement. As an ex-serviceman or woman, you possess the physical attributes and weapon training police forces are looking for. 
• Engineering. The need for engineers is growing. If you held a technical position in the military, you already know some of the fundamentals of engineering. 
• Nursing. As a veteran, you may have already been trained in health care to some extent. Nursing is a sound occupation if you wish to take that training further or you have a desire to take care of others.
• Physical therapy. You can earn significantly more than the national average as a physical therapist. Having served in the armed forces, you’re only too aware of the need for physical therapists.
• Teaching. Leadership skills, discipline, and effective communication are just some of the many skills you can bring into the classroom. If you want to get into teaching, aim for a teaching degree rather than a bachelor’s, which means a higher starting salary.

Online Degrees

Another option open to you is an online degree. This option allows you to study while working and meeting other commitments. You can study business and finance, psychology, or computer science. Through an online course in computer science, for instance, you can learn the necessary skills to become a highly sought-after professional in the IT industry.

Veteran Education Benefits

Veteran education benefits can help open the door to a new career. Here are some of the more common ones.

• Montgomery – Chapter 30
• Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty
• Montgomery G.I. Bill – Selected Reserve
• Post 9/11 G.I. Bill – Chapter 33
• Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
• The Yellow Ribbon Program

On the Road to a New Career

Now that your time in the military has ended, it’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter of your life. Following this advice can help you get on the road to a new career.

Kelli Brewer is proud of her military family and is passionate in supporting military families. She uses her work to offer support and resources to families experiencing the challenges of deployments. Together with her husband, they created DeployCare to offer understanding and support to our service members and their families. Their team is composed of veterans and their spouses who have experienced many of the issues that arise when there is not adequate support when needed.