Today we have the pleasure of hosting guest writer Adam Evans. Adam Evans has worked in a variety of educational roles from substitution, to full-time teaching, to administration positions. Currently a full-time private tutor, he likes to spend his free time exploring museums and natural wonders of the West Coast with his wife and their son. Let’s take a look below as he discusses the merits of continuing your education as a veteran.
If you’re a newly discharged veteran, you may be unsure what to do after military service. One option that might have crossed your mind is going back to school. This can seem like a daunting prospect, as veterans face particular challenges that civilians don’t. However, there are ways to make the transition easier. Visit Military Money Matters for more veteran resources!
What Are Some Unique Challenges Veterans Face?
Veterans tend to be in a unique situation in their lives that makes going back to school difficult. If you just finished military service, you’re likely older than the typical ages of 18 to 23 that most college students are when they first start classes. According to one survey, the overwhelming majority of veterans who become college students for the first time are between 24 and 40 years of age. You may suffer from a physical or psychological disability such as PTSD due to military service, which can lead to isolation. You might have difficulty relating to other classmates, as the experiences of a veteran are typically vastly different than the non-military community.
There are ways to face these challenges, such as building a support network early on. Having a collection of friends and family rooting for your success can be a critically motivating factor. You’ll want to set clear goals — for instance, having a measurable idea of what you’re aiming for. A clear goal would be something like, “I am going to get my degree in engineering by next fall,” instead of “I am going to get my degree.”
Despite these challenges, veterans tend to perform better in school than their civilian counterparts.
What Degrees Are Best Suited for Veterans?
Military service can prepare veterans for a variety of degrees, including criminal justice, engineering, and computer science. Virtually any position in the military readies you for law enforcement, and this may be a natural transition. If you’re technically proficient, engineering could be ideal for you. If you have experience working with computers, computer science might be a good fit.
Many positions in the military can equip you for earning a college degree. Other possibilities include nursing, physical therapy, and teaching.
Which Degrees Are the Most Lucrative?
A survey found that computer science was one of the most lucrative degrees to have. Computer science degrees are great for veterans who worked with computer software and hardware. Another high-paying degree is engineering, which is ideal for those with technical expertise or aptitude in math.
Other high-paying degrees include:
- Business management and administration
- Law
- Information security
- Paramedicine
What If You Want To Go Into Business?
A business degree can be both profitable and perfect for veterans, especially because you can earn it online. There are a variety of universities that offer online MBAs. According to a survey done in 2017, the average salary of someone graduating with an online MBA was $96,974.
Online MBAs can teach you new skills such as accounting, economics, corporate finance, research, or statistics. Possible careers for those with an MBA include business manager, facilities manager, or business administrator. This is just a sample of the opportunities available to those who earn an MBA.
Veterans face specific challenges going back to school, but if you’re thinking about doing it, know that you’re not the first to pursue higher education. You can use your military experience as an advantage when going back to school and lead a fulfilling life with a new degree.
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