Life after service opens up a bevy of options for returning veterans. Many soldiers are passionate about pursuing education in their years after the army, as this represents a great chance to gain an edge in a competitive job market. Understanding the education standards corresponding to veterans will help make post-service opportunities easily navigable, helping veterans flourish. Former servicemembers currently inhabit a small portion of undergraduate students, consisting of only 3 percent of students on campus. Therefore, many are eager to see army veterans seize the opportunities they are entitled to under the GI Bill, especially as the unemployment rate of veterans currently hovers around 9 percent. Pursuing education opportunities can help rectify this relatively high rate – and knowing options can dispel fears of what veterans may think the civilian world holds for them.
Veterans on campus- an eclectic variety of persons
According to the National Education Association, veterans on campus are an eclectic and diverse bunch, making uniform statements on veterans experience on campus difficult. Furthermore, 47 percent of veterans are married upon entering college, ensuring that their experience will differ vastly from a typical callow undergraduate. The source noted that fellow students should avoid asking offensive questions related to the war, as a civilian may think the battlefield is an acceptable topic for conversation, while a typical veteran will probably not want to dredge up the recent past. The source noted that this same principle applies to political statements related to the military, as they may prick the feelings of a nearby veteran. As thousands of soldiers have used the GI Bill to pursue an education, this a great point to keep in mind.
Ways veterans can integrate into campus life
According to Military.com, there are various ways a veteran on campus can get involved in campus activities, meeting friends and professors who share similar interests. The majority of veterans, about 47 percent, obtain a bachelor's degree, but smaller segments of veterans also pursue associate's and master's degrees. A veterans level of involvement will probably depend on time spent on campus, with the smallest level of involvement available through events like one day service trips, according to the source. If the veteran is satisfied with this, a move up to a semester-long commitment may be in order. An example of this could be joining a pep band if a veteran is a passionate instrumentalist, while an artistically inclined veteran can seek out local art galleries and attempt to make a mark. The source noted the innumerable ways to get involved – with Greek Life being another viable option.
Typical majors veterans pursue
CNN suggested a variety of jobs that are excellent for using the rigorous skills a veteran learned in the Military. Unsurprisingly, the source noted that law-enforcement is a common avenue that is pursued by soldiers in life after military. CNN noted that a security manager is suited to the particular set of skills needed to succeed in the military – such as hierarchy and coordination. Another option for military men and women is the lucrative field of analytics. According the source, a senior policy analyst helps craft policies that affect an entire company. For a veteran, who may have commanded entire army battalions during time in the military, this could present an easy shift. Making fast decisions can bring the fast paced and forthright life of a military policy maker to the equally competitive and ruthless business world, creating a civilian role that a veteran can flourish in.
This information can be a helpful primer for a returning veteran, allowing insightful decisions to be made regarding what to pursue in post-military-life.