The cyber guys were the lucky ones during military transition. Everyone in my career explorations class on base agreed. We could all see how the cyber guys and the nuke power people were the ones who were leaving class to field calls from recruiters.
It Is Not Too Late for a Tech Job
I could almost see the thoughts hanging in the air. Was it too late for them to train for jobs in cyber and information technology and user experience and software engineering? Were these veterans out of luck if they didn't already have a college degree in computer science? What if they spent their entire career in the infantry or training as aircraft mechanics or serving in the Navy band?
These were really good questions. And the junior enlisted and junior officers were not the only ones who were interested in the answer. Plenty of mid-level military members were curious about those jobs, too.
Of course, they were. When the Computing Technology Industry Association reports that there are 3.9 million tech occupation job openings in the United States, and that the median wage for tech occupations is nearly twice the median national wage, naturally these transitioning military folks were interested. Military members tend to be smart that way.
How Do You Get a Job in Tech Without a Tech Background?
When it came to jobs in tech, however, the problem was more about how to get into those jobs, given current circumstances. Money is tight after military separation, especially if you have a family. Learning how to find a good job in the civilian world is a challenge for everyone, even civilians. Switching career fields adds another layer of complexity. Was it all too much?
One thing I found is that the military transitioners and spouses in my classes were like me. We could recognize tech job titles if we saw them online, but we didn't know what those people did every day or whether we would be good at it. Nothing like working really hard to get certifications and then find out there was no way for you to get a job.
You Live in Tech-Hungry Times.
Luckily, we are all living at a time where there are a lot of military service organizations and military-seeking corporations who want to help veterans and spouses get these kinds of jobs. It is possible for you to train into a tech job at the end of your military career, even if you have not had a tech-centered military occupational specialty (MOS), rating or Air Force specialty code (AFSC).
Sign Up Now for Our FREE Transition Master Class: Tech Jobs Without a Tech Background.
That's why we put together our FREE Transition Master Class: Tech Jobs without a Tech Background on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m. EST. In just 60 minutes, you will learn:
- What kind of veterans and spouses do well in tech? Are you one of them?
- What are entry-level jobs called in tech, and what do they pay?
- What can you do with a management background, plus tech certifications?
- How can military members and spouses get tech certifications for free?
- What is the surprising skill you need that predicts how well you will do in a tech job?
At a time when all jobs are tech jobs and no company can make, deliver or market its product efficiently without technology, taking an hour to learn a little more about how you can get a job in tech using your military benefits is a great idea. Sign up now, and even if you can't attend the class, we will send you a link to the recording and the resources.
Jacey Eckhart is Military.com's transition master coach. She is a certified professional career coach and military sociologist who helps military members get their first civilian job by offering career-level Master Classes through our Veteran Employment Project and on her website SeniorMilitaryTransition.com. Reach her at Jacey.Eckhart@Monster.com.
Learn More About the Veteran Employment Project
To get more tips on how to make a successful military transition, sign up for one of our FREE Military Transition Master Classes today. You can view previous classes in our video library. Questions for Jacey? Visit our Facebook page.
