June 14, 2016, by Lizzie Weakley – The electrical engineering field is competitive and you need a lot of experience and education to stand out. Joining as a technician in the military will give you a huge advantage over other engineers. There are some engineering fields, like satellite communications, where one of the very few places to get training is the military.
1. Get Paid to Learn
After obligatory basic training, the military will send you to additional schools where you will learn the ins and outs of your job. Time spent in this advanced training varies depending on your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and the branch of service. More technical MOSs will have significantly longer training. Once you complete your advanced training and go to your permanent duty station, you will continue to learn and train.
2. Experience That Sets You Apart
Having military experience on your resume helps you stand out. Many businesses and government agencies give veterans preferred hiring status, meaning as a veteran you will be at the top of their interview list.
3. Gain an Instant Professional Network
The military is a close-knit community that rallies around its own. Being part of that community means that other vets will give you a helping hand, even if they have never met you. The more technical your MOS is, the more likely it becomes that one of your battle buddies will know someone at the company you are applying to.
4. Military Training Translates to College Credit
How many credits you’ll get depends on your advanced training and any additional military schools you attended. It isn’t unusual for military personnel with communications MOSs to get 12 or more credit hours — that’s a full semester of credit!
5. Unparalleled Tuition Assistance
Not only will you get college credit for your military service, but the military offers full tuition assistance while you are on active duty. There are some limitations and depending on your commander and the unit’s mission you may not be able to take a full course load. Though once you have separated from the military you can use your GI bill benefits to finish your master’s degree in electrical engineering.
Joining the military is a huge commitment, and is not a decision to be taken lightly. If the military is a good fit for you, a military career, whether two years long or twenty, will give you unequaled training, networking, and experience.
Author Bio: My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3 year old husky Snowball.