Best Degrees for Military Spouses
Military spouse Mary S. King, author of the recent memoir Facing the Wall — A Mission, found herself taking on more responsibility after her husband returned from combat with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — including the role of primary breadwinner. Her story is not unusual: most military spouses work to supplement their family’s income, and an increasing number find themselves stepping up their careers to cope financially with deployment or combat injury. For many, the path into the workforce and toward higher earnings begins with a college degree.
Facts about Military Spouse Employment
Most military spouses today work at least part time, and many hold down full-time jobs. This number indicates a sea change compared to the Vietnam era. In 1974, less than one-third of military spouses worked; by 1997, a survey found that 91 percent were in the labor market. Current Department of Defense research indicates that 69 percent of military spouses are in the workforce. The majority of working spouses — 68 percent — rely on their jobs to help pay for basic family expenses, and 41 percent rate their financial contribution as a major part of their household budget.
Having a partner who served on active duty places extra pressure on military spouses to return to work. Military veterans return from combat with the honor of having served their country 33– and sometimes the burden of mental or physical trauma. Conditions such as PTSD, depression, brain injury, and amputation can make it difficult for the returning spouse to resume work in their former capacity. Often, the role of primary breadwinner falls to the non-enlisted spouse.
The Road into the Workforce
Military spouses face unique hurdles to establishing a career trajectory. During deployment, spouses often operate as single parents, taking time out from work to care for family. Frequent re-locations can also disrupt a career trajectory; military families relocate on average every 24 to 36 months, according to the Department of Defense (DoD), which reports that the challenges of relocation include the “loss of job tenure and the need to meet location-specific licensing and certification requirements.”
Best Degrees for Military Spouses
In 2011 President Barack Obama issued a challenge to the private sector encouraging them to hire or train 100,000 veterans and their spouses by the end of 2013. Resultantly, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are leading Joining Forces, an initiative that aims to help military veterans and spouses back to work. Part of the plan includes companies helping veterans and their spouses train for careers or get credentialing and education.
According to the White House Report: "experts project that openings for jobs requiring post-secondary education including associates degrees and occupational certificates will grow faster than employment overall in the years ahead." With many employers complaining that it's difficult to find qualified applicants for technical roles, degrees and training in hard skills can prove to be valuable.
Due to the growth of health care, the Obama Administration specifically reached out about the Joining Forces movement. The Department of Health and Human Services committed to challenging Community Health Centers to hire 8,000 veterans over the next three years.
The Department of Defense is launching a Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force that will aim to help service members and spouses earn civilian-equivalent occupational credentials and licenses. Focusing on military experience, the task force will help develop pathways to skilled positions in: manufacturing, first responders, healthcare, information technology, transportation and logistics.
Specifically targeted at veterans and their spouses, the DOL has lunched an online tool called My Next Move for Veterans. This tool is specifically designed to help veterans search for occupations that may fit their skill set and interests.
Possibly aligning with some of the initiatives taking place across the nation, some degrees that military spouses can pursue online include:
- Health care. Single-parent friendly health care options include medical transcription (for the telecommuting and flexible hours) and dental hygiene (flexible hours). Dental hygienist careers also offer impressive ROI–a two-year associate’s degree can lead to a $67,860 mean annual wage.
- Information technology. IT jobs are relocation-friendly, thanks to universal demand and telecommuting options. Career training is widely available online through information technology certification programs.
- Education. Teaching boasts parent-friendly hours and jobs nationwide. Special education teachers are especially in demand, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with excellent job prospects and 17 percent growth forecast from 2008 to 2018.
Some health care and education careers require state-specific certification or licensure. Many states offer relocating professionals reciprocity for their out-of-state certification. Also, the military offers financial support for spouses seeking new certification to relocate.
Military Career and Financial Aid Resources
The military offers no shortage of resources to support the education and career training of military spouses. Some programs include:
- MyCAA. MyCAA offers financial aid to help military spouses return to school. The program’s original emphasis on vocational training has expanded, as of October 2010, to allow more military spouses to pursue four-year degrees and longer-term educational opportunities.
- Army Spouse Employment Partnership (ASEP). ASEP connects military spouses with corporate employers. The program includes financial aid administered through the Departments of Defense and Labor, with funds set aside to cover tuition, fees, books, and the cost of renewing existing credentials due to military relocation.
- Military Spouses’ Career Network. MSCN provides many resources, including a comprehensive list of federal and private scholarships for military spouses.
Military spouses face unique challenges and opportunities on the road to a career. Financial aid programs offer critical support, connecting spouses with the educational resources they need to build their skills and forge a strong career.
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