Military Transition News – July/August 2015, Higher Education issue

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The Essential Military-to-Civilian Transition Resource July - August 2015

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Back to School: Is it Right for You?

by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor

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ou’ve amassed experience in the military, and you’re a proven professional in your field. So is extra schooling even necessary?

Wouldn’t it be better to jump into a civilian job without spending time in a classroom?

It depends, say student recruiters at military-friendly universities.

There are indeed situations when you can do just fine with your current qualifications, but some fields require a degree. When you consider the big-picture prospects of career ladder climbing, expertise pertaining to the job niche can result in higher financial rewards.

Here is a four-step process to help you determine whether to go back to school: Step One: Gather intelligence about your field. Don’t take classes in a vacuum. You could spin your wheels and potentially lose

time and money. Figure out what you want to do first. Then find out if a degree is necessary for that specific career, says Dr. Jeff Cropsey, Grantham University Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and External Relations Cropsey also is President of the Council of College of Military Educators.

This will be more obvious in some fields than others. Cropsey was a military policeman when he exited the Army in 1972, but he knew he wanted to be a history teacher, a vastly different field.

Other situations are not as clear cut.

Talk to as many people as possible, like recruiters at career fairs. Ask about the corporation’s educational requirements for your “dream job,” Cropsey says. You also can make connections on LinkedIn. Ask veterans who are already working in the profession whether a degree

served them well. And talk to career counselors at TAP offices. Or call professional organizations for their educational recommendations.

In some instances, obtaining a license or certification is sufficient, Cropsey says. For example, “Microsoft certification is a gold ticket, regardless of your background educationally, and that can be completed in a year or less stateside,” he says.

Check out the websites of the VA (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ ebenefits/jobs) and the Department of Labor (https://www.ebenefits. va.gov/ebenefits/jobs/), which offer extensive information to help you determine educational, license and certification requirements for various careers. Technical schools offer a wide range of classes to help you obtain certification and licensure.

“Get a sense of what’s out there, who’s hiring, and get the requirements. When you have at

least two years to go on active duty, it’s time to get education or training lined up,” Cropsey says.

Step Two: Crunch the numbers on your potential income with a degree. Pay can significantly increase in some fields with a degree but will remain stagnant without one. A good example is nursing, says Bill Vinson, President of Herzing University’s Madison, Wis. campus. The school’s “Vet2RN” program creates an accessible path for military combat medics to parlay

their active duty experience into a nursing degree or RN license in as short as one year.

“Financially it’s significantly different. They make significantly more with the initials ‘R.N.’ behind their name,” Vinson says.

“If they liked what they were doing as a medic, I suggest they go back to school and pursue it to the next level.”

Military medics are outperforming other nursing students at Herzing.

Whether you’re a medic or in another career field altogether, do continues page 4

Spouse Series: Feeling the College Fear and Doing It Anyway

by Janet Farley Contributing Editor

S

o you’re thinking about going to college but you have some concerns. Maybe the last time you sat in a classroom was during your senior year of high school.

A lot has happened in your life since then.

You’ve found the uniformed love of your life and married him or her. You experienced your fair share of PCS moves. And somewhere between the first set of orders and the last, you started a family, landed a job or two and bought a minivan.

In short, you grew up. You’re not done growing professionally,

however. Being the smart cookie you are, you know that having a college degree will help you out in the long run on many levels.

Still, you’re hesitant and maybe even a tad bit scared. You have questions.

1. How will you ever find the time to study and go to classes?

2. How will you afford it without breaking the budget or your children’s college fund?

3. Is it even possible to juggle it all?

Here are the answers.

1. You’ll figure it out.

2. You’ll figure it out.

3. Yes it is and I’ve met the proof. Her name is Angela Davis.

Davis is an Army spouse and a mother of three children under the age of 15. She holds down three different jobs. She is a wine vendor for E&J Gallo Winery, a sales associate for Armin and Marion Hometextiles and a blogger for Mymilitarysavings.com.

Davis is also part-time student at the University of Maryland, University College (UMUC) in Germany where she and her family are currently stationed.

“You may think you don’t have time to go to college, but you do,” Davis says.

Davis is working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. She is nearly at the halfway point of reaching her goal, as she is two classes short of earning her associate degree.

Ultimately, Davis wants to work with children.

“I know that I eventually want a career where I can help them in some way, possibly as a counselor,” Davis says. continues page 6

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Profile: Troops to Teachers ....................page 2

Transition Talk: MBA vs. Job ....................page 3

Finance: Before you go back to school ......... page 18

Career Coach’s Corner: 10 transition tips ..... page 21

Job Fairs: Summer season schedule ................page 22

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A Streamlined Journey to Teaching: Troops to Teachers

by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor

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ou may wonder what flying monkeys, a girl with ruby slippers and a wicked green witch have to do with veterans finding their way into schools as teachers.

Turns out … a lot, if you ask former Army CPT Heather M. Morgan.

Morgan has been a high school English teacher and drama coach since August 2014 at Shelby County High School in Shelbyville, Ky. This spring, she directed a production of “The Wizard of Oz.” And, not unlike Dorothy, she had to rely on a “wizard” to pave her journey to the classroom – a program called Troops to Teachers (TTT).

“When you transition out of the military, it’s just like going to see ‘The Great Oz.’ You feel like, ‘I have to go to this other person in the sky who I don’t know and find out the professional standards. And they have to tell me that I have the requisite heart and courage and brains to do this job?’ It feels discordant,” Morgan says.

During her Army career, Morgan’s job titles ranged from chemical officer, to personnel management, to executive officer, to S2 intelligence officer – a far cry from diagramming sentences, reading literature and helping teenagers rehearse for a musical. But Troops to Teachers gave her tools to make the leap.

“If you’re expecting them to get you a job, you’ll be disappointed. But expect to see them streamline the process – taking what you know how to do and making it into a solid credential,” Morgan says.

More People Can Sign Up Interest in Troops to Teachers has quadrupled during the past two years, says Wayne Eccles, Kentucky’s program coordinator. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 allowed anyone who served in the military at any time throughout history to join the program.

Before then, people needed to serve a minimum of six years.

“And they don’t have to have a bachelor’s degree to start. The only requirement is serving honorably or that they have served honorably,” Eccles says, adding that he’s even had veterans of World War II and the Korean War register.

Every state is different when it comes to teacher certification. So the Troops to Teachers program has established a network of State TTT Offices that provide you with counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification and employment leads. To drill down into your state’s requirements, find your state on this document: http://troopstoteachers.net/Portals/1/ National%20Home%20Page/stateoffices.pdf.

Then visit their corresponding web site for details.

Also, rely heavily on your state’s counselor, because he or she will walk you through difficult hurdles, Morgan says.

“I didn’t miss deadlines. I knew what was expected of me. I was communicating with Wayne Eccles in 2010, as I was wrapping up my master’s degree. I even did student teaching on my lunch break, on my own time. I called Wayne to know what to expect,” she says.

Moran advises those interested in joining the program to research requirements for your state, long before you exit the military.

“Know what tests you’ll have to take, how long your certificate to teach will last. Then you can project the best time with the economy to get out and transition into teaching. I already knew four years ahead of time,” she says. “I didn’t languish for weeks.”

Stipends for Certification Costs Pending availability of funds, financial assistance may be provided to eligible veterans as stipends up to $5,000 to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10,000 to teach in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. If you accept the stipend or the bonus, you must agree to teach for three years in schools that serve students from that demographic.

The only catch: If you’re laid off, you’ll lose your eligibility, even if you intended on staying on board to teach.

It’s the only downside to Troops to Teachers, says Eccles, adding that many districts nationwide have faced government funding cuts and have reduced their teaching staffs as a result.

That happened to former Navy LCDR Christopher Harp, who exited in 2013 after 10 years and eight months of service.

He had an MBA and became a business teacher in Lexington, Ky. Harp taught for

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Harp isn’t giving up, though. He’s pursuing a second master’s degree at Spalding University in athletic training and is scheduled to graduate in 2016. He’d like a job as a school athletic trainer.

“It was no fault of Troops to Teachers.

It was an unfortunate happenstance of the county I was teaching in. As far as Troops to Teachers went, that process was awesome,” he says.

Morgan recommends Troops to Teachers to anyone “who has decided to be a lifelong learner.”

“I am astounded daily by how much of what I learned in the Army carries over,” she says. “In the Army, it was a life-anddeath, high-stakes experience. I ask my students all the time as they read, ‘What’s the tragedy? The comedy? How do you identify with human drama? Those stories happened to me in the Army for real.’ The skills I’m trying to teach them are skills that I saw work in real life. That’s a real blessing and fuels a lot of veterans to go into teaching.”

Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.

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Transition Talk

by Mike Arsenault Vice President of Candidate Services

Bradley-Morris answers questions from transitioning military job seekers.

Q:

I’m transitioning out in the next six months and I’m considering going back to school to earn my MBA. What are the benefits of an MBA over a bachelor’s degree?

A: That depends on your career path. Does your future

career need an MBA? Do you have a targeted company from whom you hope to obtain a job? Does that company require an MBA for your desired position? The benefits of an MBA can be significant, especially if your undergraduate degree wasn’t in business. Learning about sales, marketing and profit/loss will be key skills to develop for any civilian manager-to-be. If this is a path you are considering, try to research some of the MBA schools’ names that were attended by individuals in your targeted position. What are those schools’ requirements for admission? Is your undergrad GPA in their range? What are the schools’ average GMAT or GRE scores for admitted students?

Have you obtained or can you obtain that score? Can you afford the tuition and other school expenses? If you can satisfactorily answer these questions, an MBA may be the right choice for you.

that requires an MBA? Many military job seekers’ perceptions of what some careers constitute in the civilian world can be much different in practice. For that reason, it sometimes makes sense to work in the civilian world for a few years before considering MBA school (or any graduate degree for that matter). You may discover that your desired field requires no advanced degree, or perhaps a different civilian certification altogether.

In addition, many graduate schools offer an Executive MBA program that is specifically designed to meet the demands of those already in the workforce. Their classes are scheduled to accommodate your day job. Also, if you don’t necessarily need a full MBA degree but simply an overview of some of the areas covered by one (marketing, sales, finance), some well-regarded business schools offer MBA certificate programs where highly intensive classes last just a few days to a week. If you’ve just been promoted to a position with budgetary responsibility and you’ve never managed a budget previously, for instance, this can be a good alternative.

Mike Arsenault is Vice President of Candidate Services at military placement firm Bradley-Morris, Inc. He can be reached at (800) 330-4950 ext. 2105 or by email at marsenault (at) bradley-morris.com.

But what are some alternatives? One key question to ask yourself is how sure are you of the civilian career choice

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“Back to School: Is it Right for You?” continued from page 1 not undersell the value of your real-world experience during your military service, Vinson adds. Combining it with a degree will set you up for more career options.

Step Three: Don’t let school costs deter you.

Don’t make the mistake of sidelining your options due to fear of tuition, says Chuck Flint, Assistant Director of Transfer and Military Admissions at Oklahoma City University.

Private schools may be more expensive on paper, but military-friendly institutions will find ways to help you financially, Flint says.

Although the G.I. Bill covers tuition for public school, private schools like Oklahoma City participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. They make additional funds available for your education program without an additional charge to your G.I. Bill entitlement. The school enters an agreement with the VA, choosing the amount of tuition and fees that it will contribute. The VA matches that amount and issues payments directly to the school.

You may find unique learning opportunities at private schools that you can’t get at public institutions, and you might miss out if you let fear of financing get in the way, he adds.

“Veterans love the interaction with our professors,” Flint says of Oklahoma City’s small class sizes. “We have a film production class taught by a guy who has directed Stephen King movies. A veteran recently told me, ‘I get to work with a Hollywood director every day!’ ” Step Four: Choose a school that can open career doors. Universities are about more than classroom instruction. Find one that has strong connections to employers in your chosen field.

“Ask a school about some of the companies

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their graduates have gone on to work for,” Cropsey says. “We have an active career placement center at Grantham and are proud of those we’ve placed in corporations. Always ask if the school has a placement center that will help refer them.”

Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.

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“Spouse Series: Feeling the College Fear and Doing It Anyway” continued from page 1 How does she do it all?

“Coffee. I drink lots of coffee. It’s my stress reliever,” she says.

Davis may give coffee ample credit for keeping her awake and stress-free, but she is also academically motivated to succeed.

“I really want to go to school and finish my degree because then I know I will be able to find a steady job with better pay,” Davis says.

“Finding the time to do it all, however, is obviously a big challenge. Thankfully, all my jobs are flexible and allow me to work around my classes. That is a big help,” she says.

It also helps that many colleges today offer classes in various time and delivery formats in an effort to accommodate the busy lives of students.

It is exactly that kind of scheduling flexibility that has helped Davis in her quest for higher education.

“I take hybrid classes, which allow me to go on different days. I also take online and weekend classes, too, when my husband is around to watch the kids,” Davis says.

It’s a full schedule, and Davis must take advantage of any free time she finds.

“I study whenever I can. Sometimes, I’m up until two or three in morning studying when I have to wake up by five to get the family moving for the day,” she says.

Davis appreciates how her demanding schedule affects those around her, too. She seems to have found the secret to successfully balancing everyone’s needs.

“It can be tough on everyone in the family at times. My kids, however, come first. Sometimes, I have to study while I’m sitting on the sidelines of their games,” she says, adding that she also spends a lot time on the road driving from one commitment to the other.

Davis, who is also an Air Force brat, graduated from high school in 1994. In March 2006, she married her soldier. They have PCS’ed three times so far and have a fourth move to Okinawa on the horizon in August 2015.

Even though she’s accustomed to change, making the initial decision to go to college was scary for her.

“Sometimes I felt a little anxious about doing it. I didn’t think I would be as smart as other people there. I was worried about fitting in

classes with my family’s schedules,” she says.

Davis put those concerns aside and moved forward anyway. She encourages other spouses who may be thinking of going to college to do the same.

“If you want to go to college, you can. There are ways around the obstacles,” she says.

One obstacle for many may be the everrising cost of higher education.

“Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). My spouse is an E7 and I didn’t think I would get anything. I was wrong,” Davis says. “Check with your school, too. I received a UMUC military spouse scholarship that helped out a lot.”

You can complete the FAFSA at https:// fafsa.ed.gov/. There you will also find a FAFSA4caster you can complete easily online to give you an idea of potential aid before you actually complete the all-important and time-intensive FAFSA form itself.

The SECO Scholarship Finder through Military OneSource (www.militaryonesource. com) can also help you identify other potential funding options.

Would-be students should also pay a visit to the nearest military education center for more information about local and online program possibilities and financial assistance, including potential GI Bill benefit transferability.

Davis also believes that going to college will be easier if you have the support of those around you.

“Talk to your spouse and tell them what you want to achieve,” she says. “Get them on board with your plan and let them help you through it all.”

Janet Farley is a job search and workplace issues expert and the author of “The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles” (Impact Pubs, 2013) and “Quick Military Transition Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job” (Jist, Inc. 2013).

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How to Apply Your Military Skills to the Civilian Workforce Provided by our sponsor

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merica’s veterans deserve our gratitude when they return home from their time in the service and hang up their uniform. But more than that, they also deserve an opportunity to demonstrate what a valuable resource they can be to employers as they begin the transition from military to civilian life.

Whether having recently transitioned into their first civilian job, or if it has been several years since detaching from the military, veterans bring a deep and impressive roster of valuable skills to the job market. Matching those skills with the right kind of employment is key. However, many veterans may not know how to specifically translate the skills they gained in the military into their civilian jobs, and employers may not understand how to utilize the skills in corporate America.

In fact, a recent University of Phoenix national military survey (www.phoenix. edu/news/releases/2014/11/translatingskills-to-civilian-jobs-a-challenge-forveterans-reveals-uopx-survey.html) found that civilian employers are not utilizing key skills their veteran employees learned in the military. These skills include responsibility, leadership, working under pressure, critical thinking, communication and teamwork, to name a few. The survey also found that fourin-five (81 percent) active duty service members believe that a number of the skills they developed in the military will be used in civilian jobs once they separate from active duty, which is nearly twice the percentage (45 percent) who indicated this in the 2013 survey. However, when past

service members were asked about their first civilian jobs after separating from the military, less than one-third (29 percent) say they used their military skills to that extent in the civilian workplace.

Perhaps this is due to the gravity of a military job versus a civilian job. For example, in most cases, no one is going to lose their life if they’re unable to work together in a team to complete a project on time in a civilian job, but a platoon could lose their lives if they do not work together and effectively communicate while on patrol.

Here are a few tips to help veterans translate their skills into the civilian workforce.

1. Find a common denominator.

Both military and civilian jobs can be measured in manpower, materiel and money. Regardless of Military Occupation Specialty code (MOS) or rank, veterans can compare the manpower needs to complete a military mission to the HR needs of his or her civilian employer to complete a task or project. Both civilian and military jobs require specific resources, or materiel, to complete a mission or specific task or project. Of course, the resources may be a bit different – a military job may require a helicopter or air support to complete where a civilian job may need design software. Lastly, in most cases, both civilian and military employers will be provided a budget, or money, to adhere to. A key goal for most civilian employers is to maximize

profits while minimizing the expenses, while the military looks to keep costs at or under budget.

2. Strengthen your leadership skills.

As a service member promotes throughout his or her military career, their leadership skills are enhanced due to experience and additional military schooling and training. These manpower skills can be translated to their civilian job environment to motivate their subordinates to perform.

3. Research your education and career options. The ability for a veteran to apply their military skills to their civilian career starts during the military transitioning process.

Free tools are available to help service members investigate degree programs and possible career paths before transitioning. The Phoenix Career Guidance System™ (www. phoenix.edu/career-services/explorer. html) can help you research a degree program based on your interests, skills and experience, and provides insight on local job market trends and industry demands. Also, the Military Skills Translator Tool takes your job specialty code and suggests a list of related civilian occupations.

4. Speak the language. Communicate military experience and training to employers with words, not acronyms, which may not translate to corporate America. Promote and demonstrate skills such as leadership, communication management, teamwork and strategic thinking, which can be

applied in both civilian and military jobs. Give your employer and fellow employees specific examples of how you used these skills in your various assignments during your military tenure.

Advanced planning can help veterans think critically about how to best position their military and civilian skills and experience to meet the specific needs of their civilian employers. However, in this highly competitive job market, veterans need to be prepared to promote all their accomplishments and make direct connections between their experience and the skills required for their career.

Recognizing this need, University of Phoenix also offers career planning services for military veterans. Resources include career coaching, proactive and ongoing support from representatives who understand military culture, and the Military Skills Translator Tool.

Veterans gain valuable knowledge and experience during the time they serve, but understanding how military skills translate to civilian jobs isn’t always easy. Through resources such as those provided by University of Phoenix, returning servicemen and women can more effectively communicate the value of their military skills and experience to employers and, in turn, start putting them to good work in their new careers.

Garland Williams (Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired) is Military Relations Vice President at University of Phoenix

Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com

Jul/Aug 2015

NEWS

Military trained.

Workforce ready.

Career resources to help you get there.

Our Military Skills Translator Tool helps match your military training with a civilian career and degree program. It’s just one of the many resources we offer the Armed Forces community.

phoenix.edu/civiliancareer | 800.609.9230

University of Phoenix is a longtime member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC). No federal or Marine Corps endorsement of advertisers or sponsors is implied.

The University’s Central Administration is located at 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85282. Online Campus: 3157 E. Elwood St., Phoenix, AZ 85034. © 2015 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. | MIL-3833

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Jul/Aug 2015

Higher Education Issue Featured Schools Military Transition News is featuring four military-friendly schools as part of the 2015 July/August Higher Education Issue. Please see the schools’ profiles along with their veteran assistance contact below.

Grand Canyon University 3300 West Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017 Founded In 1949 Accredited by Higher Learning Commission

Veteran Assistance Contact: Stephen Smith, Director of Military Affairs, Stephen.Smith@gcu.edu, (602) 639-6601 Most Popular Degree Programs for Veterans: Nursing, Applied Management, Psychology, Professional Counseling, MBA, Christian Studies, Education, Health Care Administration, and Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Yellow Ribbon Participant: Yes Grand Canyon University is a private, Christian university based in Phoenix, Arizona. You can choose from more than 100 online degree programs across eight colleges in high-employment fields such as: business, education, engineering, government, management, theology, nursing, health care, science and technology.

Military members and their families are eligible for a variety of financial benefits and resources specifically tailored to meet your needs and career aspirations.

Whether you’re ready to accelerate your military career or transition into the public sector, you’ll develop close connections with peers through interactive classes taught by full-time, expert faculty. Focus on one course at a time for more in-depth learning and to maintain a work-life balance around your busy, ever-changing military lifestyle. Embrace a challenging, values-based curriculum you can immediately apply to your current workplace or toward a new career. Learn anytime, from any location worldwide around your schedule, and enjoy the same access, events and resources as traditional students on our Phoenix campus.

Grantham University 16025 W. 113th St., Lenexa KS 66219 Founded In 1951 Accredited by DEAC

Veteran Assistance Contact: Stephanie Abbott, Veteran Services Manager, sabbott@grantham.edu, (913) 309-4577 Most Popular Degree Programs for Veterans: Business Administration, BS; Business Management, BS; Performance Improvement, MS; MBA programs; Information Management Technology, MS; Computer Science, AS & BS; Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, AS; Criminal Justice, AA & BA Yellow Ribbon Participant: Yes Established in 1951, Grantham University was founded by a veteran to serve the educational needs of our veterans. Over time, our mission has expanded its focus to include all U.S. military personnel, military families and, of course, our military veterans.

Today, Grantham offers more than 40 certificate, undergraduate and graduate degree programs through four different schools – all 100% online – to adult learners committed to pursuing, and earning, a college degree. After more than 60 years of advanced educational achievement, Grantham graduates are finding success, advancing their careers and building a life for themselves all over the world. At Grantham, we look forward to at least 60 more years of helping those willing to study and work hard to achieve their dreams through education.

“I was enrolled in brick and mortar institutions prior to my enrollment in Grantham. I found it very difficult to maintain a constant schedule of in-class studies with the curriculum that they had given us. I found Grantham to be a very flexible opportunity for me to go to school with my deployments and current occupation.” – Joel Weber - MS, Information Technology

Left: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Travis Wright talks to an Airman at his National Guard Bureau office. Wright mentors student veterans at George Washington University (Photo by Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum, National Guard Bureau) Right: Harford Community College’s Military Appreciation Day (Photo by U.S. Army RDECOM)

Jul/Aug 2015

NEWS

Long Island University (Post) 700 Northern Blvd., Brookville, NY 11548 Founded In 1954 Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Veteran Assistance Contact: Adam M. Grohman, Associate Dean of Students, Adam.grohman@liu.edu, (516) 299-2256 Yellow Ribbon Participant: Yes Located on Long Island’s famed Gold Coast, LIU Post is a scenic, scholarly institution, offering more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs and certificates from business, accounting, and computer science to environmental sustainability, visual, performing and media arts, education, nursing, health sciences, and more. Our 307 acre community is an inspirational place to learn and is located about 45 minutes outside New York City via train. LIU Post is a national leader in experiential education, with student-run businesses and a start-up incubator that allows students to collaborate and explore their entrepreneurial interests. Our community is home to the Pioneers, one of the top-ranked NCAA Division II athletics program in the East.

LIU Post has been named a “Best for Vets” by the Military Times and a “Military Friendly School” by GI Jobs, and veterans are eligible to receive course credit for their military experience and training. Our dedicated Veteran and Military Affairs staff offers career services and is committed to helping veterans secure employment.

“My journey started in 2010 and the sole reason that I am going to school is the dedication of LIU Post and the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs. Without LIU’s knowledge and Adam Grohman’s desire to help veterans, myself and many other students would get frustrated and quit school. It is only with LIU’s love of veterans that so many veterans are in college today.” – Michael Knauer, USCG Veteran

University of Phoenix 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85282 Founded In 1976 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is a member of the North Central Association

Veteran Assistance Contact: Veterans Affairs Office

1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy.

Mailstop: CF-S503; Tempe, AZ 85282

(877) 572-7232 Most Popular Degree Programs for Veterans: Master of Business Administration; Bachelor of Science in Business; Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration; Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Bachelor of Science in Health Administration; Bachelor of Science in Psychology Yellow Ribbon Participant: Yes Since its inception in 1976, University of Phoenix has dedicated itself to focusing on the needs of working adults who balance career, family, community and other life responsibilities. As a regionally accredited university, we’re proud to help the military community connect their education to civilian careers by offering a wide range of degree programs available online and at campuses and learning centers throughout the country. This helps the military community achieve their professional and educational goals no matter where they serve. Courses are conveniently accessible, yet academically rigorous, and applicable to today’s workplace.

University of Phoenix is staffed with dedicated Military Representatives, most with military backgrounds and all with one common purpose: to help military students navigate their financial options, and to support and guide them from enrollment to graduation.

We also have powerful career resources. Our Phoenix Career Guidance SystemTM allows students to review current and recent hiring demands in their local area, as well as the qualifications and education employers are seeking. Included in that system is our Military Skills Translator Tool, which helps match students to careers that align with their military skills.

“As I traveled up and down the I-10 to cover various breaking news, I saw these billboards that featured real people with the degrees they earned, and anecdotes as to why University of Phoenix worked for them as individuals. Those people represented what I wanted to be and where I wanted to go.” – Christina Brown, U.S. Air Force, Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist/TV producer

Right: Georgia Army Guard Commander Maj. Gen. Maria Britt speaks to Kennesaw State University graduates (Photo from Georgia National Guard)

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ACCREDITED. AFFORDABLE. ACCESSIBLE.

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OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE Offered in collaboration with Udacity and AT&T Earn your degree as a veteran or active duty service member as you advance your career.

• Service members can enroll in OMS CS and remain on active duty with no need to relocate • Most students pay less than $7,000 for their degree—before any military educational funding or tuition support is applied • Current and former military personnel represent about 6% of the program’s enrollment • Connect with a community of graduate students from 50+ countries

“Trying to pursue an M.S. CS degree while on duty is extremely difficult. A traditional program is nearly impossible, as most Army installations are not located near universities offering the program. And even if they did offer it, the class schedule would be incompatible with military life. The Georgia Tech OMS CS program is the only program flexible enough to work within my schedule and cost effective enough that I can afford to pursue my degree.”

- Michael Brown, U.S. Army

Learn more at

omscs.gatech.edu/militarytransitions

Jul/Aug 2015

Jul/Aug 2015

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The Veterans Education Training and Transition Program (VET2) provides opportunities for military Provided by our sponsor

A

s a retired Army lieutenant colonel, James Wilburn understands firsthand the challenges of transitioning from the military to civilian employment. That’s why one of his first priorities as the military academic program director for Georgia Tech Professional Education was to launch the Veterans Education Training and Transition Program (VET2) back in August 2013. The program is one of the first of its kind in the nation, accepting both active and former service members. He spoke about the need for this program and how it is changing lives.

Why is this type of continuing education important to transitioning veterans?

The high unemployment rate for veterans is a national concern, and the challenge veterans face in successfully transitioning to the civilian workforce will remain in the spotlight as the size of our military is reduced to pre-World War II levels. With so many of our veterans deciding to make Georgia their home, we feel Georgia Tech has a lot to offer our servicemen and women as they begin a new career, from the new online Master of Science in Computer Science to our unique VET2 program.

What is VET designed to do?

At the most basic level, our goal is to help veterans find good jobs after leaving the military. While there is no shortage of resources to help with the transition, the services tend to be spread out and difficult to access. Some offer help with resumes and interviewing. Others provide a credential or certificate. And there are plenty of support networks as well. Our program offers all this in one place. We also help veterans understand the differences between the military and civilian workplace and how to make the necessary adjustments so they can be successful in an office environment.

How does the program work?

We partner with corporate sponsors interested in hiring veterans. The program is four weeks in duration and consists of a one week academic phase and a three week placement phase. During the first week, service members learn about their corporate sponsors and prepare for the internship. The next three weeks are spent at the corporate sponsor site in an internship. Service members also participate in evening classes during the internship that focus on socialization, communication and presentation skills.

On the last day of the program, students present what they have learned during the internship to the corporate sponsor.

What’s the cost?

There are no costs to service members participating in this program and no requirements to use educational benefits provided by the VA. Corporate sponsors are asked to pay an hourly wage to our veterans during the internship, but active duty personnel participating in the program cannot receive an hourly wage – they are unpaid interns. In many cases the state workforce board funds the program so there are no costs to the corporate sponsor either.

It’s a win-win for everyone.

Who is eligible to participate?

Prior to 2014, only veterans who had separated honorably from the military could participate in VET2. Last year, the Department of Defense authorized active duty service members to participate in internship programs if they were within 180 days of separating from the military.

Is there a competitive selection process for a limited number of slots?

A unique aspect of this course is that a seat in the classroom does not exist unless there is a position available with the employer. The program is very competitive with a 22 percent selection rate (44 percent for active duty). We offer the program once per quarter, but the course frequency and availability of positions in the class are

Military Academic Program Director for Georgia Tech Professional Education James Wilburn

determined by the hiring needs of the corporate sponsors.

What is your selection rate?

Since the program launched in August 2013, we maintain a 100% job offer rate for the service members completing the course.

What’s the most important advice you received during your military transition that you want to share with others?

You will need to adapt to be successful, but never deviate from the value system you practiced while wearing the uniform: loyalty, duty, respect for others, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

Interview courtesy “Boots to Suits” Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine, 2014

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»100% job offer rate since 2013 »Georgia Tech Professional Certificate awarded upon completion

Learn more about this unique opportunity at

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PROGRAM PARTNERS:

Interested in hiring a service member? Learn how to partner with Georgia Tech on this one-of-a-kind program, visit pe.gatech.edu/vet2-mtn-partners.

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Jul/Aug 2015

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Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com

Jul/Aug 2015

NEWS

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Transitioning A to Z: “S”

In the upcoming issues of Military Transition News, we are reprising the A to Z list of everything a service member needs to know about transitioning.

One of the “greatest hits” is the letter “S”.

by Military Transition News Staff

““S”: Be a STAR Think back to all the interviews you’ve had. Does any one thing stand out? Some job seekers feel a need to try and squeeze all of their experience and accomplishments into every question, often veering off into a circle of topics that rarely ties up into a complete thought. One way to avoid this issue is to become a STAR! The STAR Method can be used when crafting your resume, developing a presentation and answering interview questions. It is not rocket science, but something that, as adults, we often forget to follow when we engage in some form of sales. After all, job interviews are all about selling ourselves as well as our skills, and it is important to demonstrate the how our past experiences relate to our overall career progression.

The STAR Method can be summarized as follows: S – Situation: A brief introduction T – Task or Target: What/why the situation presented itself A – Action: What actions were taken to affect the situation?

R – Result: How well did you resolve the situation?

Tying an interview answer to your actual experience and communicating the results of that experience helps provide your interviewer with a greater understanding of your value. For instance, if asked, “Have you ever managed a longterm project”, you could answer using the STAR Method as follows: S – Yes, in my previous job, I was responsible for implementing a new maintenance plan.

T – I was given the project in January with a May 1 rollout goal. The plan was to cover the entire facility.

A – I assembled a cross-functional team that covered all of the key systems and implemented project milestones.

R – The maintenance plan was rolled out a week early and to date has resulted in a 15% improvement in system uptime compared to the prior time period.

The STAR Method is not meant to be a lengthy story. Make sure you are communicating in a manner that is easily consumed. Then, STAR can provide the best opportunity to be heard and understood.

See the full Transitioning A to Z list at: http://bit.ly/TransitionAtoZ.

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Jul/Aug 2015

NEWS

6 Things to Do Before You Go Back to School

oing back to school for another degree or designation can provide a great opportunity for forward movement in your career. While it might be an important goal of yours to go back to school, it can also be tricky to figure everything out financially. You might be thinking, “How will I pay for tuition and supplies? Will my family live on one salary? Is it even worth it?” If this sounds like you, you’re asking all the right questions! Here are six things to do before you go back to school so that you put you and your family in the best financial position possible.

1. Figure out what this education will actually provide you. It’s very important that you understand what you will gain from this additional education before you take the leap. What do you anticipate this degree or designation will do to positively impact your career? Will you be qualified for a higher paying position, receive a promotion or get to change industries to something that’s more interesting to you?

Take the time to list out the tangible and intangible benefits you will receive from this additional education. Not only will this help you decide if this next step is truly worth it, but dreaming about the future will also be great motivation to keep you moving forward when you are hard at work studying.

If you are not sure what this new degree or designation will provide, ask around.

You can get valuable insight from current and past students of whatever program you are interested in. Why did they return to school for this specific type of education?

What was their experience? You can talk to professionals in your current or desired industry to get their feedback, as well.

Do they agree that this type of education would be beneficial to your career? Have they pursued something similar, and why?

If your targeted educational institution has a veteran student liaison, ask them to connect you with other veterans in your desired field of study.

As a military member, you also have access to various career counselors and coaches who can guide you through your decision-making process and share their experience. While the decision to go back to school will be an important one that only you and your family can make, there are resources available to you for guidance and help.

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is designed to help veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a postsecondary program.

The primary goal of the program is

VUB is one of eight Federal TRIO programs (http://www2.ed.gov/about/ offices/list/ope/trio/) designed to provide services for individuals to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. Definitely use the resources available to you to help you make the decision of whether or not to go back to school.

2. Understand and maximize your benefits. Now that you are confident and excited about the prospect of going back to school, you will want to fully understand the benefits available to you as a transitioning military member. They are plentiful and numerous!

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers financial assistance to service members who have served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001. You can use this benefit for financial assistance to attend any approved school, university or vocational school that offers a degree program. The amount of your benefit is determined by a variety of factors, including the length of time you spent on active duty, your location, which program or school you are planning to attend, and the type of degree you are planning to pursue. Veterans who are eligible for the maximum benefits may receive funding for up to 100 percent of the tuition and fees charged by the most expensive in-state public school undergraduate program in the same state the veteran resides, as well as a housing allowance and a book stipend.

Typically, these education benefits must be used within 15 years of your final discharge date.

In addition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has a provision called the Yellow Ribbon Program. Colleges and universities that participate in this program will pay a portion above the maximum benefit

The VA can help you determine if you meet the qualifications. The program currently pays a maximum of $1,321 for 36 months. Maximum benefits can be increased by as much as $5,400 total by participating in the “Buy Up” program while on active duty. Typically, Montgomery GI Bill benefits must be used within 10 years after leaving active duty.

The Veterans Assistance Program (VEAP) is available for veterans if they have elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in the program. The government matches your contribution by two hundred percent (on a 2-1 basis). VEAP can be used for a college degree, certificate programs, technical and vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, certain entrance examinations, and correspondence courses. The benefit is available from one to 36 months depending on how long you have contributed. Typically, VEAP benefits must be used within 10 years of your release from active duty. Whatever you don’t use inside the 10-year time frame will be automatically refunded to you.

Eligibility requirements are as follows: • You entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985 • You opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987 • You voluntarily contributed from $25 to $2,700 • You completed your first period of service and were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) is a benefit offered to unemployed veterans that provides up to 12 months of training assistance. It’s a great option for those ineligible for other VA education benefit programs.

Make sure to maximize the benefits available to you in order to prepare you and finance your education.

3. Create a financial plan for your education. With an understanding of which benefits you qualify for, you can apply to receive financial assistance. Once you know how much assistance you will receive, you can figure out how you will fund the remainder your education. You may decide to fund your education with a mix of financial benefits, savings and loans.

4. Put together a realistic budget. In addition to funding the education itself, you will have to figure out your day-to-day living expenses. First and foremost, that means you will want to determine how much it costs to house, feed and clothe you and your family. In order to do that, I highly recommend keeping a money journal for a few weeks where you write down everything that you spend and earn in a notebook, on your computer or in your phone. No expense is too small to write down because even the small expenses can add up. The money journal will give you not only a realistic idea of what you’re actually spending, but also the opportunity to stop or decrease spending in certain areas in order to make your new lifestyle work. Use the data from your money journal to supplement the expenses you are already aware of, such as bills and recurring charges.

With this information in mind, will you be able to live off your spouse’s salary, will you decide to work part- or full-time in addition to school, or will you finance your living expenses with savings or a loan?

These are all questions you can answer only after you understand how much you spend on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. Go back to your motivation from step No. 1 to see where you can dig deep to decrease your expenses so you can make your goal work. If going back to school is going to drastically improve your career and happiness, making some changes in your spending will be more than worth it!

5. Check in and adjust whenever necessary. While your money journal and detailed plan are a great start, you aren’t done quite yet. Even the best made plans have to be adjusted for reality. If there’s no way you are able to stay within the food budget you created for yourself, adjust.

See how that change affects the overall plan and then figure out a way to make it work. This may require earning more, decreasing your spending elsewhere or taking on more debt. If something is not working within your plan, don’t ignore it. Avoiding your finances will only bring continues page 18

COMP

CIVILIANJOBS

Eligibility requirements are as follows: • You must be 35-60 years old • You must be unemployed on the date of application • You must not have received a dishonorable discharge • You’re not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability • You’re not enrolled in a federal or state job training program

MILITARY TRANSITION NEWS

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allotted by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The school may pay up to 50 percent of the costs over the maximum benefit, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will match its contribution for the remainder of the cost.

The Montgomery GI Bill provides up to 36 months of military education benefits to eligible veterans, which can be used for college tuition and fees, technical school, vocational school, correspondence courses, online education, apprenticeships, job training, flight training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, and certain entrance examinations.

Eligibility requirements are as follows: • You are on active duty and have served at least three years on active duty after June 30, 1985 • You elected to enroll in the Montgomery GI Bill program and have had $100 deducted from your monthly pay for a year • As a veteran, you must meet the above two eligibility requirements, have received an Honorable Discharge and have a high school diploma or GED

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HIREMILITARYBLOG.COM

by Ashley Feinstein Contributing Writer

to increase the rate at which veterans graduate from postsecondary institutions.

Other services offered by the VUB program include: • Education and counseling services to improve financial and economic literacy • Instruction in reading, writing, study skills and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school • Academic, financial and personal counseling • Tutorial services • Mentoring programs • Information on postsecondary educational opportunities • Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications • Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams • Information on the full range of Federal Student financial aid programs and benefits • Guidance and assistance in alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to receipt of a regular secondary school diploma, entry into general education development (GED) programs or postsecondary education

Jul/Aug 2015

CA30115 PRINTED IN USA ©2014, ELI LILLY AND COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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ANIES

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“6 Things to Do Before You Go Back to School” continued from page 18 about more stress and hardship. Take note as soon as you see an issue arise, and adjust as quickly as possible.

6. Finally, you will want to protect you and your family from the unexpected. An emergency or rainy day fund consisting of three to 12 months of living expenses will provide financial protection for any gaps in work or emergencies as you transition and live this new lifestyle. Make sure to keep these funds in an easy-to-access, liquid place such as a money market fund or a high-interest savings account so you can use them if needed without penalties or fees. Not only will having an emergency fund protect you in the case of the unexpected, but it will also provide you with peace of mind knowing you can provide for you and your family if something happens.

By taking these steps before you head back to school, you’ll ensure you and your family’s financial wellness and security as you make the transition. Set yourself up for success before you take this important next step in your career!

Ashley Feinstein is a certified money coach and founder of Knowing Your Worth, where she empowers her clients to redefine success on their own terms by knowing their value and fearlessly going for it. Find out more, check out her blog at KnowingYourWorth. com and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter at The Fiscal Femme.

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At the heart of the military are values like leadership, motivation, and dedication. And it’s no coincidence those same values run deep at Lilly. Not unlike the military, we’ve built a tradition of continuous growth and a commitment to making life better. So when you’re looking to take the next step in your career, consider a path that already feels natural. Learn more about career opportunities at lilly.com/careers.

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Jul/Aug 2015

TRANSITIONING FROM ACTIVE DUTY?

The Air Force Reserve offers great part-time opportunities for people transitioning from active duty. It gives you the time and financial support to further your education, or begin a civilian career, while continuing your military service toward retirement. As a Reservist, you can continue to do the extraordinary and maintain the camaraderie experienced while serving in the military.

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Jul/Aug 2015

career coach’s corner

by Tom Wolfe Career Coach and Contributing Editor

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NEWS

s you near your military separation, you will probably have many questions regarding the military-tocivilian transition. Below, I’ve compiled 10 tricks of the trade to help you successfully navigate to your new career.

1. Timeline. Don’t start too soon, but don’t wait too long. There are three phases to your search: preparation, execution and decision. Start the preparation phase well in advance of your availability date. There is plenty to do to get ready for the transition, the job search and interviewing. Use a 12-month countdown. Months 12 through 5 are the preparation phase. Months 4, 3 and 2 are interview months. Month 1 is the final phase - time to compare, contrast and decide. Month 0? Start your new job!

2. Self-knowledge. A lack of selfknowledge is a leading cause of interview failure. All of your company research, knowledge of products and industry, and diligent mechanical preparations will be for naught if you fail to know thyself.

What are your strengths? Attributes?

Skills? What do you bring to the table?

What really matters to you? Without that self-awareness and the ability to relate those answers to the job and the company, it’s impossible for you to sell yourself as a great match for that opportunity. Also, do not overlook your deficits, weaknesses and failures. Your ability to discuss this subject shows self-confidence and creates empathy. Add in your strategies for correcting or compensating for them and they are less likely to be used against you.

3. Work smart. Focus on organizations that have a history of hiring veterans.

Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of time trying to convince a company to hire veterans and then will have to convince them to

10 Transition Tricks of the Trade hire you. Skip that step. Chase someone who wants to be caught. Where do you find these companies? You already have! Take a look at the ones that advertise in or are featured throughout this and every edition of Military Transition News.

4. Network. Talk to those who have completed successful job searches and they will likely mention a single individual who was instrumental in making the connection. To be successful you, too, must find and develop that relationship at every one of your target companies. Add all of them together and you have your network.

You either have contacts already in place or you will have to work hard to find and foster those relationships. How do you find them? Consider friends, neighbors, relatives, alumni groups, professional societies, social media connections, placement companies and recruiters.

Each of them has the potential to become that instrumental person or connect you to someone who could fill that role.

5. Homework. Back in the olden days, researching a company was difficult.

You had to go to the library and peruse business magazines and trade journals, visit a stockbroker and read annual reports.

Frequently, the information you found was outdated or no longer accurate. However, the interviewers were aware of this and would often tolerate this inadequacy.

Along came the Internet and the Information Age and everything changed.

As hard as company research used to be, we now have the opposite condition - it’s easy! Insufficient or inaccurate research is now inexcusable. Find yourself guilty of that and you will be labeled as lazy, not interested or ill prepared - all legitimate causes for rejection.

6. Filters. Filters are such a part of our everyday lives that we hardly notice them.

The oil filter in your car, the air filter in your home, the caller ID on your phone and the parental control on the remote control, to name a few. Filters do two things in every system: increase the quality and decrease

the quantity of what passes through.

Think of your job search as a system with filters - those inserted by you and those utilized by the employers. Companies use them to eliminate candidates who lack the requisite credentials or have mismatched expectations. You have no need to interview for a job that does not fit your decision criteria. Both parties use filters to eliminate impurities, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the contenders. This is not an even playing field. There are almost always more great candidates than there are great jobs, and the employers want the pool to shrink. You, however, want as many high-quality options as possible. For that reason, be judicious with your use of filters. Keep them at a minimum, apply the most important ones first and insert the others at the end, if you have that luxury.

7. Interviewing empathy. Many things influence your decision. There is much that you care about. However, as focused as you are on what matters to you, you must also have an appreciation for what matters to the interviewer. What does the company need? What are its priorities?

What does the interviewer care about?

What are the hot buttons? Your sensitivity to those issues is called interviewing empathy. Without it, you will be hardpressed to make the personal connection necessary to convert the interviewer from an adversary to an advocate.

8. Q&A. Every conscientious job seeker knows the importance of the A. Anticipating, preparing for and practicing Answers to questions is standard operating procedure. It’s the Q of the Q&A that causes many interviews to fail. Answering questions well is critical, but are you also prepared to ask them? The questions that you ask may be the most powerful tools in your transition toolbox. Not only do they help you gather information about the job and company, but also, if chosen wisely, they will also allow you to show interest and build empathy. Subtract either of those and the problem solves itself - there

will be no offer to consider.

9. Social media. This is a powerful job-search tool, but it comes with risks.

Although it’s a great way to research companies and develop your network, it’s also an easy way for companies to check you out. Googled yourself lately? When was the last time you did some housekeeping on your social networking pages? Are you on Facebook? Will it make an employer more or less interested in you? Inventory those pictures - are you comfortable sharing them with a boss and co-workers?

Do you have a presence on LinkedIn? You should. In addition to crafting a profile that represents you well, identify and join any special interest groups that have the potential to expand your network.

10. Close. Interviewing is selling. You are the salesperson. You are also the product. The company you want to work for is the customer, and this customer has a need. You want to fill that need with your product. You package, promote, advertise and market yourself. You have stiff competition - there are many products available that will satisfy that need. You identify the need and find yourself in a position to sell yourself. You make your pitch, give it your best shot, go home and wait for the good news, right? Wrong! You forgot the most important part! You forgot to close. If you want the order, you have to ask for it. Do you think this customer is going to call you and say, “May I please buy your product?” Fat chance. You must ask for what you want - the job (if you are ready to accept) or the offer (if you are not yet certain). Fear of failure stops many job seekers from doing this. Sure, if you do not ask, they can’t say “no,” but they can’t say “yes” either.

Thanks for your service and GOOD HUNTING! Tom Wolfe is a Career Coach, Columnist, Author and Veteran and can be found at www.out-of-uniform.com.

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NEWS

Jul/Aug 2015

Job Fair Calendar

Date: July 7, 2015 Location: Ft. Riley Employer Showcase 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m./Bldg. 212 Custer Ave., Room 201 Sponsor: POC: Mr. Glennwood Mclaurin,

glennwood.mclaurin.civ@mail.mil (785) 239-3946

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

July 8, 2015 Hawaii Transition Summit 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Martinez Physical Fitness Ctr., Bldg. 488, Schofield Barracks POC: Soldier For Life, Transition Assistance Program Center - (808) 655-1028

Date: July 15, 2015 Location: Ft. Rucker Annual Job Fair 9 a.m. - 1 p.m./ Enterprise High School, 1801 Boll Weevil Cir. Sponsor: POC: Mr. Alfred Alexander (SFL), Ms. Lisa Fenner (Enterprise Chamber), Mr. Mike Kozlowski (ACS) hrc.tagd.acapcomm@gmail.com

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

July 21, 2015 DC National Guard Armory 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

2001 E. Capitol St., S.E. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

July 22, 2015 Norfolk, VA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Ted Constant Convocation Ctr. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

July 23, 2015 Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Ctr. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy.

POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

August 6, 2015 Ft. Benning, GA Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Benning Conference Ctr. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: August 12, 2015 Location: Fort Bragg, NC 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Conference and Catering Ctr., Bldg. 5-5348, 2658 Reilly Rd. Sponsor: POC: Sharalyn Saliger, sharalyn.saliger@serco-na.com (910) 396-5439

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

August 13, 2015 JB Lewis-McChord, WA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

American Lake Conference Ctr., 8085 NCO Beach Rd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

August 13, 2015 JB Andrews Chiefs Group Job Fair - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Club at Andrews, Bldg. 1889, Arnold Ave. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

August 25, 2015 Patuxent River NAS MD 3 p.m. - 7 p.m./Bay District Vol. Fire Dept. Social Hall, 46900 S. Shangri-La Dr. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

August 26, 2015 Ft. Bliss, TX - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Centennial Conference Ctr., Bldg. 11199 POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

August 27, 2015 Belvoir-Springfield VA 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. - American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

September 2, 2015 Ft. Rucker - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Bldg. 4502, Rm. 210, 4502 Andrews Ave. POC: Mr. Bryan Tharpe, Ft. Rucker

Date: September 3, 2015 Location: Carlisle Barracks Fall Job Fair, PA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Carlisle Expo Ctr., 100 K St. Sponsor: POC: Jeffrey Hanks, jeffrey.a.hanks3.civ@mail.mil

Date: September 9, 2015 Location: Ft. Campbell Job Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cole Park Commons, 1610 101st Airborne Division Rd. Sponsor: POC: Sean Solorzano, sean.p.solorzano.civ@mail.mil (270) 798-6507

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

September 15, 2015 Ft. Stewart, GA - Stewart Club 10 a.m. - 2 p.m./1020 Hero Rd., Bldg. 405 POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

September 29, 2015 Ft. Lee, VA Job Fair - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Regimental Club, 2609 C Ave. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location:

Sponsor:

October 7, 2015 Redstone Arsenal, AL 10 a.m. -2 p.m./The Summit, Bldg. 130, Golf Course Rd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

For more job fair dates and locations, go to CivilianJobs.com

Join CivilianJobs.com on...

Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI) is the largest military-focused recruiting firm in the U.S. that for over 20 years has specialized in placing prior military job seekers with Fortune 1000 companies.

CivilianJobs.com helps military-friendly companies who actively recruit candidates from the military by offering cost-effective and customized solutions to meet their hiring needs.

NEWS Military Transition News is a bi-monthly publication providing military job seekers with relevant career and transition advice. It is distributed in print and online to over 500 military bases.

MilitaryResumes.com provides professional resume writing and consulting services for transitioning military, veterans, and their spouses seeking a civilian or federal career.

Essential Events and Travel, Inc. provides expert event planning services for corporate events and meetings. We excel in managing specialized events.

HireMilitaryBlog.com is a blog dedicated to educating and assisting employers (HR Recruiters) with sourcing and hiring candidates with prior-military experience.

MilitaryTransition.com is a blog devoted to providing transition assistance information and tools to service members transitioning from the military to a civilian career.

LARGEST MILITARY FOOTPRINT

Jul/Aug 2015

23

NEWS

Operation Transition:

The Allstate Military Veterans Licensed Sales Professional Insurance Training Program

by Janet Farley Contributing Editor

T

he facts are crystal clear. Service members making a military-to-civilian career transition understand how complicated, competitive and confusing a job search can be.

It is why it’s important to explore all options and even some of the programs available to assist in that transition.

One program you may want to consider learning more about is the Allstate Military Veterans’ Licensed Sales Professional Insurance Training Program.

It just might be the path you seek if you like the idea of continuing to take care of others in your post-uniform life.

Military-experienced candidates who have been honorably discharged may qualify for a virtual insurance sales training program with the opportunity to begin a career in an Allstate agency.

First Step: The Screening Process Interested candidates are first vetted through the recruitment process where they learn more about what an LSP does in an agency. They also have the opportunity to speak with a member of the Allstate family to get a better feel for the program itself.

As a part of the pre-screening process, candidates will complete an application and take an online personality assessment; however, the outcome of that assessment will not affect the candidate’s ability to participate in the program.

Next Phases The program will give the candidates the necessary tools to prepare for their state Property and Casualty licensing exam. Upon completion of the exam, candidates will be eligible for a completion bonus in recognition of their accomplishment.

Candidates will then begin a virtual training around Allstate specific education.

Included are educational elements around resume building and interview tips specifically tailored towards veterans looking to take the LSP position.

Completing the Program Individuals who successfully complete the program are then given the opportunity to interview to be a member of an Allstate agency as an Licensed Sales Professional.

Participation in the program does not guarantee that you will receive a job offer from

an Allstate exclusive agency owner, however, there will be no obligation or contract stating the candidate must work for an Allstate agency or pay back their completion bonus.

The program is designed to equip interested and qualified veterans with the tools they need to become an associate agent.

As Luck Would Eventually Have It The Allstate Veterans’ Licensed Sales Professional Training Program is an excellent opportunity for service members who may be interested in a career in the insurance industry.

“When it was time for me to get out of the Army, my wife wanted me to work for the Border Patrol. I didn’t want to work in a job where I could get shot at again, however,” said Emcie Martinez.

Martinez now works as an Allstate LSP for a San Antonio, Texas agency owner.

“The Allstate Veterans Program just fell into my lap,” he admitted.

“I wasn’t actively looking for a new job but it just appeared,” said Martinez, who transitioned out of the Army in 2010 after serving eight years.

After he and his family relocated to Texas and while working in the insurance industry, Martinez learned about the Allstate Veterans Licensed Sales Professional Insurance Training Program.

“I knew 100% that once I entered that program, I was going to be the best at it,” he said.

After successfully completing the program, Martinez had the lucky predicament of having to decide between seven different offers to work at an Allstate agency.

He ultimately chose to work with a team in San Antonio where he continues to hone his skills and serve his customers to this day.

It’s not the final job destination for Martinez, however.

“I want to eventually have my own office one day. It will happen, I’m certain of it,” he said.

If you are interested in exploring opportunities such as these with Allstate, contact Jessica Doll at jdoll@civilianjobs.com.

Janet Farley is a job search and workplace issues expert and the author of “The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles” (Impact Pubs, 2013) and “Quick Military Transition Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job” (Jist, Inc. 2013).

My skills are valued, and so is my willingness to learn.

To search for jobs using our Military Occupation Code Translator and learn about Marriott ’s commitment to U.S. Veterans, visit marriottvetcareers.com.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.

Marriott International does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.

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