Tag: Job Skills

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Free Online Courses & Certifications for Veterans and Military Spouses

Free or Low-Cost Online Courses for Military & Veterans

Are you looking to upskill or reskill to land the job you want? You’re in luck! Several companies offer free or low-cost certifications for veterans and military spouses. Certifications and courses can vary by organization, so we compiled a list for you. Online certifications available for veterans and military spouses include Six Sigma, project management, salesforce, and more.

Free Courses

Sigma Forces

Military-focus

Sigma Force’s certifications and education programs are globally accredited. Sigma Forces is a veteran/military spouse-owned business, giving them a unique understanding of the importance of upskilling and reskilling for the military community. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Sigma Force:

    • Marketing and Sales
    • Scrum
    • Lean Six Sigma
    • Six Sigma

SalesForce Military

Military-focus

SalesForce Military program offers free 100% remote Salesforce courses for military and military spouses. The program covers certification costs, can be completed in 6 months, and the opportunity to participate in a 12-week paid job training program is available to all who qualify. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Salesforce Military:

    • Salesforce Administrator
    • Salesforce Developer
    • Sales Cloud
    • Marketing Careers
    • Salesforce Architect
    • Business Analyst
    • Salesforce Consultant
    • Service Cloud
    • Salesforce Designer

Syracuse University Veterans Career Transition Program

Military-focus

Through Syracuse University’s Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program transitioning military members and military spouses can take free accredited courses. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Onward to Opportunity (O2O):

    • Customer Service
    • Information Technology
    • Entry Level IT Technician
    • Cyber Security
    • Cloud Services / Information Security
    • Business Management
    • Project Management
    • Six Sigma
    • Human Resources

FEMA Independent Study Program (FEMA ISP)

FEMA Independent Study Program (FEMA ISP) offers over 200 free self-paced courses. The courses are similar to military experience, making them a great fit for the military community and first responders. FEMA has its own professional certification. Learn more here.

Courses offered by FEMA ISP:

    • An Introduction to Hazardous Materials
    • Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies
    • Civil Rights and FEMA Disaster Assistance
    • Public Information Officer Awareness
    • Introduction to Emergency Management for Higher Education
    • And More

The USO Pathfinder Transition Program

Military-focus

The USO Pathfinder® Transition Program is available to active duty, reserve, national guard, and military spouses. The program offers 3 professional development courses in partnership with Microsoft. Learn more here.

Courses offered by USO:

    • Skillsoft
    • IBM SkillsBuild
    • Coursera

Career Forward by HOH

Military-focus

Career Forward is a career program offered by Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) for veterans. The program is designed to help veterans get certifications in as little as 6 months. Veterans can enroll in the self-paced Google Career Certificate program to help launch a new career. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Career Forward:

    • Data Analytics
    • IT Support
    • Project Management
    • User Experience (UX) Design

Free or Low-Cost Courses

Chartered Certified Project Manager Certifications (CCPMC)

CCPMC has developed the Military Governmental Educational Advanced Placement Exemptions program that allows for special military exemptions for the MPM and CIPM certifications. If military members meet the eligibility requirements for the two courses, they would be exempt from the training or accredited college degree requirements, fees may apply. CCPMC also offers over 100 certificate courses. Learn more here.

    • Courses offered by CCPMC:
    • MPM Master Project Manage
    • CPM Chartered Process Manager
    • CIPM Certified International Project Manager
    • Engineering Certifications
    • CSSA Certified – Six Sigma Analysis
    • OSHA Safety Credentials
    • And more

Coursera

Coursera is a collection of free or low-cost courses/certifications by 200+ companies and universities. They are not military-focused; However, their courses/certifications are well-known and recommended by many companies. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Coursera:

    • Data Science
    • Health
    • Arts and Humanities
    • Information Technology
    • Business
    • Social Sciences
    • Physical Science and Engineering
    • Math and Logic

Alison

Alison offers over 4,000 accredited online courses. The courses are free to take and self-paced. There is no cost to take the classes, however, users will incur a cost to obtain a diploma or certificate. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Alison:

    • IT
    • Health
    • Language
    • Business
    • Management
    • Personal Development
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Engineering & Construction
    • Teaching & Academics
    • English

Skill Storm – Military Focus

Skill Storm works with transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses to develop their technology career goals. Skill Storm courses are approved for VA funding and offer scholarships for military spouses. Learn more here.

Courses offered by Skill Storm:

    • Introduction to Coding
    • Objected-Oriented Programming
    • Programming in JAVA
    • Data Structures
    • Relational Database and SQL
    • Introduction to Pega
    • Introduction to AWS
    • Full Stack Java Development
    • Introduction to Salesforce

Added Benefit

Not only are you getting a leg up on the competition by upskilling/reskilling for free or low-cost and advancing your career by obtaining certifications, but many of the organizations listed above have employment assistance programs specifically for the military community. Career services include interview prep, resume building, work programs, personality tests, career guides, and more.

 

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Finding a Job With a Gap in Your Resume

Your Employment Questions Answered: Finding a Job With a Gap in Your Resume

Sometimes the best way to learn something new is by seeking advice from those who have been there. Asking questions is how we learn about new resources or can give us perspectives we might never have thought about before. When you ask a question, you can gain the knowledge you are looking for that will help you figure out what you need to know to move forward, whatever the subject might be. 

When you are a military spouse, particularly with children, you may find gaps in your resume. This can be frustrating because even if you do have the education, you may be up against a wall when it comes to finding a job when you are ready to go back into the workforce. You may feel like no one wants to hire you because of a gap or that you won’t ever be able to find a way back in. The good news is that you can in fact find a job using the right resources. This question is all about that. 

Question: I have a gap in my resume and can’t find a job, what can I do?

I am feeling pretty hopeless when it comes to finding a job. I have a master’s degree in accounting which I would have thought made me pretty marketable but I feel like that isn’t even helping me. I haven’t worked in 10 years because I decided to stay home with my kids. My last volunteer position was four years ago so I don’t even have that to work for me. I am also studying for my CPA exams. I have applied to a ton of places and am still not able to find a job. I am losing hope and wonder what is wrong with me. What can I do?

Answer: I have a gap in my resume and can’t find a job, what can I do?

It sounds like you are having a difficult time finding a job. First of all, remember that your self-worth is not tied to how easily you can find a job. You have spent the last 10 years with your family and that isn’t a bad thing. The right job is out there and we want to give you some resources to help you find it. Also, know that you’re not the on;y one in this same boat. Other military spouses have put their careers on the back burner and there are organizations to help you get back into the workforce. 

Here are some resources to help:

Remember, sometimes it does take time to find the right job. Don’t give up. Take your CPA exam. And look for opportunities to further your career. 

 

 

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How to Find Courses to Improve Your Skills

Your Employment Questions Answered: How to Find Courses to Improve Your Skills

Sometimes the best way to learn something new is by seeking advice from those who have been there. Asking questions is how we learn about new resources or can give us perspectives that we might never have thought about before. When you ask a question, you can gain the knowledge you are looking for that will help you figure out what you need to know to move forward, whatever the subject might be.

No matter what type of job you are going into, you want to make sure you are prepared with the skills you need to get your job done. If you are looking for a job or getting ready to start, you will want to improve your skill set. However, you might not have the time or money to take a long class. Free courses or courses you can easily complete online are a great option. You can learn new skills, and do so quickly, and from the comfort of your own home.

Question: Where can I find a free course to help me improve my skills?

I am about to start a new job as a bookkeeper, and the job will be remote. That means I won’t have as much access to my boss as I would in a traditional office. I’m afraid I will need help with using QuickBooks Online. I decided that learning or taking a course on QuickBooks online would be the best thing to do. This will also help me be more prepared to do my job overall.

Are there any free or low-cost QuickBooks online courses out there? I have taken one about the Desktop version but I think they are a bit different. What about other courses that might be good for me to take for my job?

Answer:

QuickBooks Online

Working on your skills, and learning more about what you will need to know in your new job is a great idea. For QuickBooks Online specifically, if you have the advanced version of it, you should have access to a free training program. It is user-friendly and easy to get the hang of. It is also very different from the desktop version.

You can also visit this page and view the courses and training that Quickbook offers. You can attend courses that are taught by Advanced Certified Pro Advisors and earn credentials.

Other Resources

Military Community Resources Act Now Education Group 

This Facebook group provides guidance and the tools necessary to make your goals a reality. From business development, career planning, resume guidance, interview prep, and more. They help active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses.

Udemy

Udemy has courses on many different topics. As of 2022, that have 196,000 courses and 68,000 instructors teaching courses in over 75 languages. These courses are self-paced and allow you to learn on your own time. The DoD did have a partnership with Udemy but that ended in June of 2022. Hopefully, they will do so again in the future. Until then, wait to catch their sales. They do have them pretty often.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn also offers free online business training courses that cover a variety of topics. These classes are only for LinkedIn Premium members but veterans and military spouses can get a free year. Visit LinkedIn for more information.

As you can see there are quite a few options for learning more before you start a new job, or to prepare you for looking for one. You can also check out these articles from Career Recon to help you work and focus on your career path.

 

 

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How to Change Your Career as a Veteran Spouse?

Your Employment Questions Answered: How to Change Your Career as a Veteran Spouse?

Sometimes the best way to learn something new is by seeking advice from those who have been there. Asking questions is how we learn about new resources or can give us perspectives that we might never have considered. When you ask a question, you can gain the knowledge you are looking for that will help you figure out what you need to know to move forward, whatever the subject might be.

As a military spouse, once your service member retires, you may be looking for a change in job or career. But how do you find the right one? While searching for a new job can be a bit complicated, there are programs out there to help military and veteran spouses. These programs can give you the right tools and point you in the right direction to find a better-suited job.

Question: How to Find the Best Job Opportunity?

My husband retired from the military two years ago, and we live at Camp Lejeune. I am seeking a new career with a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Healthcare Administration.

I am having a hard time finding the right job. I look at Indeed and USAJobs daily, and nothing is happening. I have always worked at Naval Hospitals as a contractor but want to move on to something else. Can you help?

Answer:

Looking for a new career or change can be such a smart move. It can be tricky, though. The good news is that there are organizations to help military spouses and veteran spouses do so. They can work with you to find the right job or to change careers. Here are a few of them.

Onward to Opportunity Program 

This program is a free career training program that provides professional certification and employee support services to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. They combine industry-validated curriculum, partnerships with leading veteran service organizations and private companies as well as comprehensive career coaching services to help you prepare and match you with a career.

You can work on certification in the Information Technology, Business Management, and Customer service industries. They offer over 30 classes in many different locations, including Camp Lejeune. The Onward to Opportunity Program is through IVMF/Syracuse.

Hire Heroes USA

Hire Heroes USA is a nonprofit that helps service members, veterans, and their spouses seek meaningful employment. They can give you one-on-one coaching, review your resume, give you LinkedIn help, mentor you, and much more.

Hiring Our Heroes

Hiring Our Heroes offers events, programs, and career counseling. They offer 65+ hiring events each year and offer a virtual education and training center with on-demand workshops.

CareerRecon

Also, make sure to check out the Recruiting & Staffing Profiles on Career Recon to find more companies and organizations that can help you with your job search.  or you can use our free tool that will help connect you with recruiting and staffing agencies that find jobs specifically for military, veterans, and their spouses.

 

You will also find this article, “Jobs for People With a Healthcare Administration Degree,” from Nurse.org, helpful for information on what you can expect by making this change.

If you do want to make a career change and find a job that would work better for you, there are many resources out there to help. Anything from tweaking your resume a bit to having access to job offers can get you on the right path for finding that ideal job. Good luck!

 

RELATED: Portable Career Fields for Military Spouses in Nursing

 

 

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Career Forward: Job Ready Skills for New Careers

Career Forward is a new program from Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) that can help veterans learn new skills to launch an exciting career in under six months.

Certified Training with Google

With the Career Forward program, participants gain industry-recognized Google Career Certificates. Students can specialize in:

  • Data Analytics
  • IT Support
  • Project Management
  • User Experience (UX) Design

Veterans in the program will enroll in the Google Career Certificate program of their choice. These self-paced job-training programs can be completed within three to six months, giving students marketable skills to land amazing careers.

Google Career Certificates

With no experience requirement, participants will receive professional training from Google in any one of the following areas. Also, each link will take you to an information page about each certificate and job field.

Data Analytics

A data analyst collects and organizes data that allows companies to make informed decisions.

IT Support

IT specialists troubleshoot problems on computers and networks. Their work keeps the business up and running.

Project Management

A project manager ensures that projects are completed on-time and on-budget. This ensures that companies receive the maximum value for their projects.

User Experience (UX) Design

UX designers make products, both digital and physical, easier to use for the consumer or business.

These programs are amazing because they come straight from Google, the most powerful presence on the web. Veterans do NOT need to have any experience in order to participate in these career certificates either.

Students in the program will have opportunities to engage with other students, recent graduates, and other professionals in the chosen career field. Individual support from HOH staff is also available.

Career Support

The best part is, finishing one of these Google certificates helps a Veteran gain a competitive edge that could lead to a rewarding new career.

Not only that, but after completion of a Google Career Certificate program, graduates will have access to job search support like interview preparation and career workshops, and networking through Hiring Our Heroes and Big Interview.

Additionally, students will connect directly with employers that are ready to hire them through Hiring Our Heroes hiring events. These companies can include:

  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Deloitte
  • Freedom Learning Group
  • Verizon
  • Google

Participants will also be able to apply for the Hiring Our Heroes Fellows Program. This collection of workforce development programs can connect transitioning service members, military spouses, and veterans with employers seeking to hire them.

How to Apply

The Learner Application is pretty straight forward. It has two steps that collect basic information about you, and optional info like your LinkedIn profile URL.

(Hint: If you don’t have one, get a LinkedIn profile before you sign up. A portion of your learning program will cover tips and best practices for using LinkedIn.)

Also, when you’re signing up, there’s a drop down menu indicating “Service Type”. This is where you indicate your current connection to the military. Based on this menu, the program is available to the following people:

  • Service Members
  • Military Spouses
  • Veterans
  • Caregivers

So, not only do veterans and military members have access to this training, but spouses and caregivers as well.

If you’re looking for a new career, do not miss the opportunity to launch your new career with Google Career Certificates. Apply today!

 

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Military Employment Guide: Interview Preparation

Step-by-Step Employment Guide for Military:  Preparing for Interviews

Job hunting will include going on job interviews. This is a part of the process and one you need to be prepared for. The interview is where your potential employer will first meet you, and get to know what you could possibly bring to the table. The interview is where you have to make a good first impression and you will be judged on how you present yourself.

This part of the job search process can be quite intimidating. A lot of people feel quite nervous about going into an interview. You can do things to prepare that can help you feel more confident walking into the interview. Practicing for your upcoming interview is a must.

Why should you practice your interview?

Since interviews can be intimidating, and you will probably be a bit nervous, practicing the interview can help calm you. Doing so will help you figure out what you need to be prepared to say, and help you feel more confident when the time comes.

Practicing can also reduce your stress level and anxiety over the interview. The better prepared you are, the easier the interview will go. And those that are interviewing can tell if you are not prepared. You don’t want to show up to just wing the interview.

What should you think about when it comes to practicing for the interview?

  • Figure out what trips you up the most. What are you most nervous about? What have you struggled with when it comes to job interviews in the past? Make a list of what you need to work on and practice. This will help you get focused on the interview and practice the parts that you need to work on to be fully prepared.
  • Make a list of the most common interview questions. Then you will need to make sure you have answers for them. These could be:
    • Tell me about yourself.
    • How did you hear about the position?
    • Why do you want this job?
    • What can you bring to the company?
    • What are your greatest strengths?
    • What are you looking for in a new position?
    • What are you passionate about?
    • Tell me about a time you had to solve a difficult problem.
  • Go over the questions and answer them out loud. Know the answers enough so when asked the questions you are fully prepared with a good answer.
  • Analyze the job and the position. Know exactly what job you are going for. You don’t want to appear like you are uninterested or not prepared for the job. You want to be able to talk about the job with confidence and explain exactly why you want this position.
  • Review the job duties, and compare them to your job history. This will help you see how and why you are qualified for this position. Having that confidence will help you in the interview.
  • Think about the questions you will ask at the interview. Go over these and how you will phrase them. This will make you appear confident and that you are interested in the company as well as the job.

What is the best way to practice for an interview?

  • Give yourself plenty of time to practice. Don’t start the day before. You will want to go over the interview many times.
  • Record yourself practicing the interview. That way you can play it back and go over what you did right and what you might need to work on.
  • Ask a friend or family member to help. They can play the part of the interviewer and offer their perspective.
  • Practice the interview in front of a mirror. This will also give you a good perspective on your interview skills.

While you might not be able to know exactly how an interview is going to go, you can get prepared. Use these tips to get ready for the interview and plan to walk into it with confidence and the ability to make a good first impression.

 

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Military Veteran Employment Guide: Finding Mentors

Step by Step Guide to Employment for General Military –  Finding Mentors

As you embark on your after military journey, finding a mentor to help you is a smart decision. A mentor can be there to help you get to where you want to go, be someone you can go to for advice, and help your job search go a lot more smoothly.

Mentoring will allow you to gain the knowledge you need from someone who has been through it. They can help you to learn new skills and help expand the ones you already know. You will receive guidance through a mentor as well as support.

Working with a mentor will give you confidence, help you grow your network, and offer you a sounding board for ideas as well as how to get through any challenges that come up during the process. Mentors can also give you constructive feedback.

When it comes to making the transition from the military to the civilian world, being able to have a good mentor, who has been thought transition themself, is going to be the biggest way to help yourself find the job that you want and get you on the right path.

How do you find a mentor? You may have someone you know already that would be willing to mentor you. That is always an option. However, not everyone knows the right person who can take them on as a mentor. Luckily, there are companies and organizations that can help you find one. Here are a few of them that work specifically with veterans and members of the military.

American Corporate Partners (ACP)

ACP is focused on helping returning veterans and active duty spouses find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring. They also offer networking and online career advice. They will assist veterans and spouses on their path toward fulfilling long-term careers.

VETS – Beyond the Uniform 

VETS – Behind the Uniform is a coaching, mentoring, and training program that was developed by military veterans. Their mission is to provide veterans with the additional skills that are needed to go from the military to the civilian workforce.

7 Eagle Group

7 Eagle Group works to serve military veterans and active duty service members. Through their programs, they offer career webinars, networking opportunities, mentors, and opportunities to mentor others.

Veterati 

Veterati offers free one-hour mentorship phone calls with successful professionals. You can choose your mentors and can even have more than one. Their mentors will offer personal advice, coaching, insider job search tips, and introductions.

Hiring Our Heroes

Hiring Our Heroes has a mentoring program that helps veterans who are struggling with translating their skills to a civilian role. Their mentors help veterans understand what direction they can go in after military life.

Commit Foundation

Commit Foundation works to build powerful tools, pipelines, and cultures that empower military members in their transition out of uniform. They offer one-on-one transition assistance.

Valor Bridge

Valor Bridge works to honor veterans through education, community, and mentorship. They have dedicated mentors to help veterans make the transition back into civilian life and the business community.

Military Talent Partners

Military Talent Partners empowers veterans and military spouses throughout their career journeys. They provide mentorship, coaching, and career discovery to help military talent realize their potential as well as their professional goals.

eMentor 

eMentor is an online mentoring program for military members, veterans, as well as military spouses. They connect people with mentors to help them move forward in their personal and professional lives. Mentors will provide insights into civilian careers and corporate hiring practices.

As you can see, there are many options for finding a good mentor who knows how to make the transition from the military to the civilian world. Finding a good mentor is an important part of the process and can help lead you in the right direction.

 

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Southern Careers Institute – San Antonio North

Southern Careers Institute – San Antonio North Profile

Southern Careers Institute—San Antonio North is a private, for-profit postsecondary career and technical education institution with eight locations in Texas and 10 programs in various subjects. 

Southern Careers Institute was started in 1960 and has had medical and business programs since 1992. Overall, Southern Careers Institute has 20 career-focused programs and 40 industry-preferred certifications within its eight campuses and online. 

In addition to its programs, Southern Careers Institute—San Antonio North offers free tutoring, employer connections, a tailored job search, and job market prep.  It is perfect for career training in and around San Antonio.

Accredited By: Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education

GI Bill: Yes 

Programs: 

  • Automotive Service Technician
  • Business Accounting Specialist
  • Business Administration
  • Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator
  • Computer Support Specialist
  • Electrical Technician
  • HVAC
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • Welding

Certificates and Degrees: 

  • Certificates and certifications 

Job Placement Rates: The job placement rate is around 80% 

Online: Yes

Campus Location: 

  • San Antonio 

TA For Active Duty: No

MyCAA For Military Spouses: Yes

Admission Contact Person: Southern Careers Institute – San Antonio North on College Recon 

Number of GI Bill Students: 50 

 

 

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