Use Your GI Bill: The Degree Opened the Door

I was extremely apprehensive about my scheduled retirement in November 2004, but I started planning my transition more than a year ahead of time. I basically started with research, and eventually went to a career coach who assisted me with evaluating my skills and writing my resume, as well as turning all the military experience into the similar civilian equivalents.

Be careful though, some of those "head hunters" or similar services will charge you a lot of money and you may not get much for it. Do your research on the firm. Although the services on base are great, and I would never say anything bad about them, it may serve you well to do some research "off base" as well.

It just seems that some of the folks on base are a little isolated from the real information out there, and it gets a little stale or dated. Post-military personnel have a tremendous advantage over many civilians, believe me. I was fortunate to transition right over, and am now the personnel manager for a County, and I see them all.

Be positive, confident but not cocky, and sell yourself. Let your interviewer know that you are there to solve problems, and help them to achieve their goals. Prepare, and stay the course. Do not get discouraged if things don't happen quickly. Just get out there and keep plugging away. The Internet is an invaluable resource. Read up on your potential employer, so you can intelligently discuss their business statistics and info.

Much more information is available, just do your homework. Get your education as much as possible, or use your GI Bill. It will make you more comptetive. I did, and boy am I glad. I am a retired SCPO, and my degree is what opened the door. There are opportunities out there, but many more will be there if you have that degree, it just opens more doors.

Most importantly, best of luck, I wish anyone who reads this the very best.

(Submitted by Kevin Fulford)

Comments

[distance learning degree]

If you are a teacher of Physical Education or that you are a gym instructor that is helping different kinds of people from all walks of life in helping them get into the right shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle, then you could opt to broaden your knowledge by having a master’s degree. But on the other hand, you may be thinking that you will not have the time because of your hectic schedule at work for you to go back to school once more to earn the master’s degree.