12 Degrees for Post-Military Prosperity

Navigating the wide range of choices in a rapidly changing education marketplace can be a challenging and confusing task for anyone. Unlike your civilian counterparts, whose chief issue choosing a school may be affordability, transitioning military often carry a substantive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. Schools across the country have taken note and often invest heavily in attracting new post-military, as well as active-duty military, and Reserves students.

Being able to obtain a degree at little or no cost from top schools is a tremendous benefit, but it is an opportunity that should not be taken lightly. Your education should result in better job prospects when you graduate. An important point to keep in mind is that jobs often require prior experience, along with a degree.

Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Labor produces regular projections of occupations with the greatest demand and highest earning potential, along with prior experience requirements. Here are 12 degrees for post-military prosperity that require additional education, including a few that require no prior experience due to a shortage of qualified applicants.

Vocational Diploma/Certificate Required

First-line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 87,900

Median Wage: $53,090

Experience: 1 to 5 years leadership experience

Telecom Technicians

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers set up and maintain devices or equipment that carry communications signals, connect to telephone lines, or access the Internet.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 59,300

Median Wage: $54,710

Experience: None

Licensed Vocational Nurses

Care for ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 369,200

Median Wage: $40,380

Experience: None required

 

Associate Degree Required

Operations Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 410,000

Median Wage: $94,400

Experience: 1-5 years in a technical field

Construction Managers

Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget and supervise construction projects from early development to completion.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 120,400

Median Wage: $83,860

Experience: 5+ years

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take X-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient’s blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Includes workers whose primary duties are to demonstrate portions of the human body on X-ray film or fluoroscopic screen.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 95,100

Median Wage: $54,340

Experience: None required

 

Bachelor’s Degree Required

Sales Managers

Sales managers direct organizations’ sales teams. They set sales goals, analyze data and develop training programs for the organization’s sales representatives.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 139,700

Median Wage: $98,530

Experience: 1-5 years

Management Analysts

Management analysts, often called management consultants, propose ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 274,300

Median Wage: $78,160

Experience: 1-5 years

Software Developers, Systems Software

Research, design, develop and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. May design embedded systems software. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering and mathematical analysis.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 168,000

Median Wage: $94,180

Experience: None required

Master’s/Professional Degree Required

Pharmacists

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer advice on their safe use. Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), a four-year professional degree. They also must be licensed, which requires passing two exams.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 136,000

Median Wage: $111,570

Experience: None

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists help people who have injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. They are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries. Physical therapists typically need a doctoral degree in physical therapy. All states require physical therapists to be licensed

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 100,600

Median Wage: $76,310

Experience: None

Post-Secondary Teachers

Post-secondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books. Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Most commonly, post-secondary teachers must have a Ph.D. However, a master’s degree may be enough for some post-secondary teachers at community colleges. In technical and trade schools, work experience may be important for getting a post-secondary teaching job.

New Job Openings 2010-2020: 586,100

Median Wage: $62,050

Experience: None

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