April 17, 2017, by Lizzie Weakley – So you have finished your time in the armed forces, served your country with distinction, and now you need to consider what to do with the college money you received due to the GI Bill. Well, here are five college degrees you should consider studying before you start taking classes.
Criminal Justice Degree
One of the most popular lines of work post-discharge for service members is in law enforcement. Many local, state, and federal agencies specifically seek out veterans to serve in their ranks. Previous training and coolness under fire are two of the traits they appreciate the most. Some studies even show that veterans have lower rates of bad interactions with citizens because of their training and experience. Add to that a criminal justice degree, and you will be at the top of potential candidates for agencies from your local sheriff’s department to the FBI.
Hotel Management
Believe it or not, hotel and amenity management are among the top industries seeking veterans. Experience in logistics, personnel, and problem-solving all apply toward this exciting industry with potential locales worldwide. Look for colleges that provide degrees in Leisure Studies or Hotel Management in specific.
Engineering
Did you get experience building roads, bridges, or facilities during your service? Then engineering may well be the discipline for you. If you are math and science proficient, it is almost certainly the direction you should choose. Companies like military experience when hiring in this field, and the pay and job security are among the best in the nation. With fields from Mechanical, to Electrical, to Civil Engineering, there are several different fields to choose from, depending on your individual interests.
Nursing/Medicine
If you served as a Medic, this is a pretty simple line of logic to follow, but even if you did not, there is a huge demand for people in the nursing and medical technician industry. Jobs and colleges can be found all over the country, and if you have a desire to help others that evolved from your service, continuing that through nursing can be highly rewarding, as can the pay.
Teaching
The skills learned leading a squad or training recruits are many of the same skills needed to be a good teacher. Teaching degrees can be earned in almost any specialty from Science and Math, to History and English. Teaching jobs are also available around the country, with plenty of opportunities for advancement.
The job outlook for veterans coming home is great. Many industries even prefer veterans over civilian applicants. Make sure to capitalize on that and the educational opportunities afforded you by the GI Bill.
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.