Howdy! As a junior looking at life after high school, joining the military and then taking advantage of the GI Bill for college is quite appealing to me. I'm curious if anyone can give me some insight into what types of college degrees might be best to pursue after the military service. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Hello there!
You're considering a path that has been rewarding for many individuals. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides excellent support for veterans intending to further their education after service. It covers in-state tuition and fees at public colleges (and up to a national maximum amount per academic year for private or foreign schools), a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.
As for which degree to pursue, that largely depends on your personal interests, strengths, and career goals. The military will expose you to a range of disciplines and provide practical skills you can transfer to the civilian world. For example:
1. If you enjoyed the leadership roles and organizational aspects of military service, degrees in business administration, organizational leadership, or project management might be a good fit. These can prepare you for roles in corporate management or running your own business.
2. If your military experience largely involved technical or mechanical work, degrees in engineering or IT might be a great way to expand upon the skills you've already developed. This could lead to occupations in fields like aerospace, civil engineering, IT management, or cybersecurity.
3. Alternatively, if your service sparked an interest in international relations or public policy, degrees in these fields could lead to employment at NGOs, government agencies, or international organizations.
Healthcare is another popular field that veterans often gravitate towards. If you served as a medic or in a healthcare-support role, this might be a logical next step.
Remember, the GI Bill also covers vocational training and non-degree programs, not just traditional college education. If a traditional four-year degree isn’t your ideal path, look into apprenticeships or job-specific skill training as well.
Lastly, don't neglect potential opportunities to earn college credit while serving; the military provides a variety of training and education programs that can earn you college credit, such as the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). These are potentially great ways to save time and tuition cost once you start your degree.
The most important thing is to take some time to reflect on what you enjoy, as well as the lifestyle you want to lead following your time in the military. From there, you can map out a clear path forward for your education and career. Good luck with your decision-making process!
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