Veterans who are in the process of separating from the military often look to use their VA education benefits to go to school or get training. This is an amazing benefit and a great way to help prepare for jobs in the civilian sector.
While going to college may seem like the obvious use for these benefits, another option is to obtain certifications. Skill certifications can demonstrate your knowledge in a specific topic or field. They can usually be obtained much faster than degree and are far less expensive.
There are many options when it comes to obtaining a certification and it greatly depends on the career field you’re interested in. You have your choice of general business certifications, or more industry specific options like the IT industry. Whichever options you choose, adding high-value certifications to your CV is a great way to stand out during the hiring process. Many times, veterans will assume their military service alone will make them stand out. While this may be true, military skills don’t always transfer into civilian skills. Here are a few examples of certifications which may assist you:
If you’re looking to learn more about what programs are open to veterans, each branch as a special website that you can visit to learn more. These websites are listed below. You can also speak with your transition adviser when going through the separation process.
Air Force- https://afvec.langley.af.mil/afvec/Public/COOL/Default.aspx
Army- https://www.cool.army.mil/
Navy- https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/index.htm
Marines- https://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc/index.htm
Still need more information? Then the VA education website is where you should begin your search. You can access your benefits by setting up an ebenefits account and reviewing programs you’re interested in.
There are many options when it comes to obtaining a certification and it greatly depends on the career field you’re interested in. You have your choice of general business certifications, or more industry specific options like the IT industry. Whichever options you choose, adding high-value certifications to your CV is a great way to stand out during the hiring process. Many times, veterans will assume their military service alone will make them stand out. While this may be true, military skills don’t always transfer into civilian skills. Here are a few examples of certifications which may assist you:
- For Information Technology, one of the best options in Comptia. Well-known and respected throughout the IT industry, Comptia allows you to use your Post GI Bill to obtain many IT certifications.
- Interested in Human Resources as a career path? HRCI, the leading HR certification organization in the US allows the use of VA education benefits for HR certification.
- Would you like to obtain your Six Sigma Black Belt certification? The Management and Strategy Institute has a Black Belt program which is approved by the VA for cost reimbursement.
If you’re looking to learn more about what programs are open to veterans, each branch as a special website that you can visit to learn more. These websites are listed below. You can also speak with your transition adviser when going through the separation process.
Air Force- https://afvec.langley.af.mil/afvec/Public/COOL/Default.aspx
Army- https://www.cool.army.mil/
Navy- https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/index.htm
Marines- https://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc/index.htm
Still need more information? Then the VA education website is where you should begin your search. You can access your benefits by setting up an ebenefits account and reviewing programs you’re interested in.
