Fall 2015 Spring 2017
|
NAVY FAMILY MEMBER BENEFITS FROM NEW STEM PROGRAM page 8
LET YOUR MILITARY EXPERIENCE
HELP YOU LAND A JOB page 16
YOUR GUIDE
To Employment Opportunities & Higher Education
2 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017 Wesley G., Student
CJ-Homeland Security. Navy.
Advance your career with exclusive benefits toward graduate and undergraduate programs. TROY’s Military and Family Scholarship caps the cost of tuition at $250 per credit
hour for active military, Reservists and National Guard. Also, your spouse and dependents receive up to 50% in tuition savings. TROY is committed to keeping higher education affordable. That’s the Trojan Warrior Spirit, and it’s alive and well at Troy University.
Feel it at troy.edu/militaryspirit or call 1-800-586-9771.
SPRING 2017 | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | CCE 3
CCE l HAMPTON ROADS AREA RESOURCES FOR MILITARY MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
In This Issue
Published by:
MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA 150 W. Brambleton Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510 757.222.3900 Fax 757.853.1634
MILITARY
PUBLISHER
NEWSPAPERS OF VI RG IN IA
Laura Baxter
MNV EDITOR Karen L. Gill
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tricia Lieurance
DESIGNERS Susan Cofer Allyson Garner Kyle Raymer
ADVERTISING
757.222.3900 sales@militarynews.com
EDITORIAL
757.322.2865 editor@militarynews.com
The contents of this special section are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government, the DOD, the DoT or the U.S. Coast Guard. Opinions of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Military Newspapers of Virginia or The Flagship®. The availability of these newspapers and the appearance of advertising in these publications, including any inserts or supplements, do not constitute endorsement by the federal government, the DOD, the DoT, the U.S. Coast Guard or Military Newspapers of Virginia of products or services advertised. Military Newspapers of Virginia is a private firm in no way connected to the Department of Defense or United States Coast Guard.
04 | 05 | 06 | 08 | 09 | 10 |
Special benefits For Virginia, Hampton Roads residents
12 |
Free placement test workshops offered by TCC
13 |
New website helps service members, families find jobs
14 |
Navy family member benefits from new STEM program Free workshops offered by consortium on how to fund a college education Veterans Employment and Training Service Programs overview
16 | 18 |
Hampton Roads area resources for military members and families New TCC program in digital court reporting is geared toward military students The ABCs of financial aid for education for military spouses Let your military experience help you land a job How to use your military spouse preference to find federal civil service employment
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4 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l BENEFITS FOR VIRGINIA RESIDENTS
Special benefits for Virginia, Hampton Roads residents Whether you’re interested in going back to school or finding a job, you’re in the right place. Virginia and the Hampton Roads area offer extra benefits and assistance beyond what is available nationwide. Extra help may be available to active-duty, retired and discharged military members and their families, and in at least one instance, to civilians who work for the mili-
tary, as well. Make sure to check information listed for veterans on websites and mention your veteran or family member status when talking to representatives. Resources are listed throughout this Careers and Continuing Education special section and additional governmental information at these links listed below.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
VIRGINIA RESOURCES
www.fedshirevets.gov
www.dvs.virginia.gov/
www.va.gov
www.vec.virginia.gov
https://fafsa.ed.gov
www.vawc.virginia.gov
www.ed.gov
www.schev.edu/
www.bls.gov/ooh/ dol.gov/VETS
SPRING 2017 | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | CCE 5
CCE l FREE WORKSHOPS OFFERED
Free placement test workshops offered by local college Those who have been away from the classroom for a while can sharpen their skills with free workshops offered by Tidewater Community College. Most new students must complete the Virginia Placement Test in English and mathematics prior to enrolling in classes. Each of these twohour workshops offers guidance on taking the computer-based placement test. The free workshops are open to the public. You need not be a TCC student or planning to attend TCC to attend. Registration is not required. You can participate multiple times if necessary.
Workshops are offered in the Learning Assistance Center on TCC’s Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth campuses at the following times:
■ CHESAPEAKE CAMPUS,
1428 CEDAR ROAD, ACADEMIC BUILDING, ROOM 4103 For information, call 757-822-5157
• • • • • • • • • • •
April 18: 1-3 p.m. May 3: 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 25: 1-3 p.m. June 6: 1-3 p.m. June 21: 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 27: 1-3 p.m. July 6: 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 19: 1-3 p.m. July 29: 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 1: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 12: 10 a.m.-noon
GET ATI READY Fast Track Your Career in... Automotive Maritime Welding Commercial Driving HVAC/Refrigeration Diesel/Heavy Vehicle Hands-on Training, Employment Assistance, Day & Evening Classes and Approved for VA/TA
■ NORFOLK CAMPUS,
310 GRANBY STREET, MARTIN BUILDING, ROOM 2610 For information, call 757-822-1134
• • • • •
April 12: noon-2 p.m. April 19: 4-6 p.m. May 11: noon-2 p.m. June 7: 4-6 p.m. June 21: noon-2 p.m.
■ PORTSMOUTH CAMPUS,
120 CAMPUS DRIVE, BUILDING A, ROOM A 214 For information, call 757-822-2709
• April 19: 5-7 p.m. • May 10: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – From Tidewater Community College
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6 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l NEW EMPLOYMENT PORTAL
New website helps service members, families find jobs A new employment portal, www.sourcevets.com, enables separating military service men and women, veterans, reservists and military family members to register as job seekers and apply for a wide range of positions nationwide. The new site was developed by a partnership between Rangam Consultants Inc., a leading socially responsible staffing firm, and ViaQuest, Inc., a leading healthcare company operating out of Dublin, Ohio. For more information on SourceVets, please email Veteran.Services@viaquestinc.com or call VQ Veteran Services at 614-339-8408.
Career Solutions for Veterans
• Case Managers pro-actively assist to secure careers anywhere in the U.S. • Gain our expertise in translating military service to civilian assets and match with employers • Career opportunities at every level, profession, and industry • Unique level of support provided by veterans for veterans, reservists, and their family members at no cost
VQVeteranServices.com Your career employment is a click away. VQ Veteran Services offers a unique level of support and services for veterans. Our Case Managers have the experience you need on your side.
What’s your next mission?
Whether it’s that next promotion, transitioning to a civilian career or earning credentials needed to land a job – John Tyler Community College can help you reach your goals. At John Tyler, our mission is a success story for every student. How can we help you achieve yours? John Tyler Community College WWW.JTCC.EDU/VETERANS
SPRING 2017 | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | CCE 7
What’s behind this door? Join the NGIS Team of
Hospitality Professionals NAVY GATEWAY INNS & SUITES OFFERS: • Flexible hours • Year-round employment • Opportunity for benefits
• Professional growth potential • Diverse working environment • PLUS the reward of supporting the Military that protects us all!
Year-round positions open with Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, the Navy’s official lodging program. Positions include supervisors, management, laundry, front desk, housekeeping and maintenance. Postings are updated weekly on www.discovermwr.com/nafhr/jobs.html.
8 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l PATHWAYS FOR PATRIOTS
Navy family member benefits from new STEM program A new national program, Pathways for Patriots, is focusing on helping military families fill the gap in qualified applicants in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, otherwise known as STEM, and one of its beneficiaries is a Virginia Beach Navy family member. The Pathways for Patriots program pairs corporations that are struggling to hire STEM workers with military spouses and family members who are interested in pursuing post-secondary degrees, certifications and careers. It is a program of ThanksUSA, a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The organization provides college, technical and vocational school scholarships to the children and spouses of military personnel. Since 2006, ThanksUSA has awarded nearly 4,000 scholarships for a total value of $12 million. Pathways is aimed at helping these scholars find careers in industries with employment and talent gaps. With the help of a Pathways scholarship from ThanksUSA, Natalie Ebreo is a 19-year-old mechanical engineering student at Virginia Tech University and the daughter of a retired Navy Chief Nato Ebreo of Virginia Beach. She is interested in a career in military aviation after an internship with GE Aviation. Natalie credits her father and his career for inspiring her major.
Nato Ebreo immigrated from the Philippines to the U.S. when he was 19 years old and immediately joined the U.S. Navy to thank the country that was offering him such a great future. He became an electrician in the Navy and rose to the rank of Chief, retiring after 20 years. Natalie has two siblings, also focused on succeeding at college, and her mother, Catherine, is a nurse. Natalie was featured on March 7 at an event on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. that honored military families. “Your generosity has made a profound impact on my life and my future,” Natalie said. “The ThanksUSA scholarship has provided me the opportunity to join organizations and broaden my horizons in college. I have grown so much as a result and would like to sincerely thank you once again for your kind consideration and support!” College affordability is now one of the greatest burdens facing military families. According to ThanksUSA: • 2.9 million military family members in U.S. don’t wear the uniform but “serve” too • 560,000 service members claim 1.1 million children as dependents • There are more than 100,000 military children ages 17-22 in active-duty households • Service members have received below-average pay raises for the last three years, compared to the private sector and most military families depend on a single income
Courtesy of ThanksUSA Natalie Ebreo was honored on March 7 at the Pathways for Patriots Reception on Capitol Hill. She is pictured at the reception with Congressman Scott Taylor.
• Benefits for service members have dwindled in 15 years of a war still being fought • Military spouse unemployment is calculated, at the high end, at 21 percent compared to 4.4 percent for civilian spouses • Many spouses who are working are underemployed or earning less than 20 percent of the average of their peers with the same major or occupation. Kevin Schmiegel, president of ThanksUSA and the architect of the Pathways for Patriots campaign, is a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and the founder and former executive director of Hiring Our Heroes. “With corporations struggling to find skilled workers and fill jobs in disciplines such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), nursing and hospitality management, Pathways for Patriots will provide pipelines of talent-
ed ThanksUSA scholars to these fields,” said Schmiegel. “Our corporate partners and other donors already help us provide scholarships to hundreds of military families. These Pathways to employment will take our work and everyone involved to the next level – by both filling critical jobs for corporations while establishing careers for our scholars through mentoring, internships, networking and employee engagement.” Scholarship applications are accepted every year, April 1-May 15, and military families can apply on the website at www.thanksusa.org/ scholarship-program.html. They can also register on the website to be reminded about the scholarship program opening. For more information, visit www.ThanksUSA.org. – From ThanksUSA
SPRING 2017 | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | CCE 9
CCE l FUNDING A COLLEGE EDUCATION
Free workshops offered by consortium on how to fund a college education Virginia Tidewater Consortium’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is hosting free workshops on funding a college education, including college selection and application process; federal aid (grants, loans, work study); state aid programs; FAFSA changes/updates, financial aid applications, procedures and processing; scholarship search and application process; and local scholarship representatives. Upcoming workshops are May 2, 11:30 a.m., JEB Little Creek, Building 3016, in Classroom 236-237; and June 7, 11:30 a.m., Naval Station Norfolk, Navy College Office, building IE, downstairs in classroom # 8. The Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education (VTC) is a consortium of thirteen institutions of higher education, including four
To reserve a seat, contact dgreenwell.eoc@edufind.org, 757-489-3329 or 757-363-3944. community colleges, four public colleges and universities, four private and a National Defense University. In addition, VTC has two associate and affiliate members. Established in 1973, the Virginia Tidewater Consortium enhances the educational opportunities for nearly 150,000 students currently attending these member institutions. Its goals include promoting cooperation and collaboration among its member institutions to serve the people of the Tidewater region through higher education and related services.
The VTC functions independently of any one institution to serve all its members. It also offers the website, www.edufind.org, designed to help individuals as well as companies understand the extent of higher education to be found in the greater Hampton Roads region. For more about VTC, visit www.vtc.odu.edu/ or www.edufind.org/. VTC’s Educational Opportunity Center is located at 861 Glenrock Road, Suite #135, Norfolk. All services are free.
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Complete your degree or certificate from one of the top public universities in the country. > Reduced tuition for active duty military > Flexible online courses > Commitment to student success > Employer recognized and regionally accredited institution
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10 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
Veterans Employment and Training Service Programs overview The Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans’ Employment Training Service (VETS) offers these resources: TAP: Preparing Transitioning Service Members and Veterans for Meaningful Careers Transition Assistance Program (TAP): Includes DOL’s three-day employment workshop at military installations worldwide for thousands of separating service members. For veterans and military spouses who might also benefit, the full TAP curriculum is available online. APPRENTICESHIPS: Registered Apprenticeships allow veterans to learn a trade through an apprenticeship, and use their GI Bill benefits to receive a tax-free monthly stipend. AJCs: Providing Employment Resources
and Expertise American Job Centers (AJCs): DOL sponsors nearly 2,500 AJCs nationwide. AJCs provide free training, employment services, and job search assistance to job seekers and to employers. Find your local AJC at www. servicelocator.org. DVOP: Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists: Most AJCs have DVOP specialists who provide intensive services to meet the employment needs of disabled veterans and other eligible veterans with significant barriers to employment. HVRP: Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP): Provides employment and training services to homeless veterans, so that they can be reintegrated into the labor force.
The HVRP is one of the few nationwide federal programs focusing exclusively on helping homeless veterans reintegrate into the workforce. USERRA: Protecting Employment Rights Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): Protects civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and all service members to include members of the National Guard and Reserve. USERRA requires that returning service members must be promptly reemployed in the same position that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. Individuals who believe their employment or reemployment rights under USERRA have been violated may file a complaint with VETS online or by submitting a signed complaint form. EMPLOYER OUTREACH: VETS’ Office of Strategic Outreach (OSO) informs and
SAME PASSION, DIFFERENT UNIFORM. Join the Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach where volunteer opportunities often lead Be to career opportunities. Military Corpsmen can challenge the VA EMT-BLS M Co Course and with permission of the VA Office OF EMS, take the written test. • EMT Lectures Offered Online • Free EMT & Paramedic Training • Virginia Beach Residency not Required Join
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SPRING 2017 | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | CCE 11
CCE l VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING coordinates action within and between the government, private sector and communities to enhance veterans’ employment opportunities and leverage the national workforce system. OSO engages with federal, state, and local governments; private sector employers and trade associations, institutions of higher learning, non-profit organizations, and Veteran Service Organizations to establish and develop a network that facilitates veteran employment. LVERs: Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs): Many AJCs have LVERs who conduct local outreach to employers and engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled veterans, and assist veterans in gaining and retaining employment. EMPLOYMENT CENTER (VEC): The federal government’s single online tool con-
nects employers with real job opportunities, and provides transitioning service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, veterans and their families with the tools to translate military skills into plain language and build a profile that can be shared with employers. www.ebenefits.va.gov/jobs. HIRING FAIRS: VETS has partnered with the White Houses’ Joining Forces Initiative and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring our Heroes program, to provide transitioning service members, veterans, and family members with opportunities to connect to committed employers at hiring fairs on military installations worldwide and in local communities. Visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation at www. uschamberfoundation.org/hiring-our-heroes to find upcoming fairs. For more information, visit dol.gov/VETS. – From the U.S. Department of Labor
Become an
Educator
Military Career Transition Program Proud to Serve Again by Teaching America’s Students... Transition into a teaching career with Old Dominion University’s Military Career Transition Program (MCTP). Become a licensed teacher by using your knowledge, skills and experience to serve students in public schools. MCTP guides you through the approved teacher education program to earn a Master of Science in Education with Initial Licensure MCTP is designed to prepare military personnel and related members who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and want to become licensed teachers. Continue your commitment to service by becoming a licensed teacher in one of the following endorsement areas: • M.S.Ed. Elementary Education PreK-6 6-8 grades: English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies (choose 2 subjects) • M.S.Ed. Secondary Education 6-12 grades: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, History/Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physics
Military Career Transition Program Darden College of Education Education Building To learn more about MCTP visit us at: http://education.odu.edu/mctp Contact 757-683to schedule an appointment.
12 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l HAMPTON ROADS AREA RESOURCES FOR MILITARY MEMBERS AND FAMILIES EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FOR VETERANS • Opportunity, Inc. One Stop Workforce Center | 757.461.7537 861 Glenrock Rd. Circle East, Building Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23502 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday • Peninsula Worklink | 757.766.4900 600 Butler Farm Road, Suite C, Hampton, VA 23666-1513 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday • Virginia Employment Commission - Norfolk/VA Beach | 757.455.3960 5145 East Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday • Virginia Employment Commission – Portsmouth | 757.558.4455 4824 George Washington Highway, Portsmouth, VA 23702 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday – From www.careeronestop.org
VETERANS BENEFITS • Virginia Beach Benefits Office | 757.552.1884 or 757.552.1885 Pembroke Office Park, 287 Independence Blvd., Pembroke Two, Ste 130, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday • Portsmouth Benefits Office | 757.953.6205 620 John Paul Circle, Building 3, 7th Floor, Portsmouth, VA 23708 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon, Friday • Norfolk Benefits Office | 757.455.0814 6350 Center Drive, Building 5, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23502 8 to 11 a.m., Monday - Friday for walk-ins, 1 to 3 p.m., Monday - Friday for appointments • Chesapeake Benefits Office | 757.822.5298 TCC campus, 1428 Cedar Road, Rm 158, Chesapeake, VA 23322 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday • Hampton Benefits Office | 757.825.7893 2101 Executive Drive, Suite 420, Tower Box 48, Hampton, VA 23666 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday • Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program Region V - Great Hampton Roads, contact Carol Berg, 757.224.5208 ext. 2207 | carol.berg@dvs.virginia.gov – From Virginia Department of Veterans Services
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SPRING 2017 | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | CCE 13
CCE l NEW DIGITAL COURT REPORTING PROGRAM
New TCC program in digital court reporting is geared toward military students A new program at Tidewater Community College certifies students in digital court reporting and assists them in nationwide employment placement for this high-demand, cutting-edge field. Sponsored by TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE), the program trains students in court and deposition procedures and practices, audio and video equipment and the complete process of advanced digital court reporting. The course is recognized by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) and is the first in the nation to be compliant with that association’s new standards for digital court reporting.
Although the program is geared to military-related students, enrollment is open to anyone. Veterans who graduate from the program will be eligible for employment assistance through Veterans Reporters Inc. and its partners. Veterans who gain employment through the organization can enroll in a two-year, paid court reporting registered apprenticeship. “The ability to find jobs locally and in other regions will be a huge benefit, especially for our military and veterans and their spouses,” said Bill Brown, executive director of the CMVE. “With this training, they will be able to find work just about anywhere the military may send them. This program will provide classroom instruction and hands-on, real world training in local courtrooms. Digital court reporter students will get to experience what they will be doing firsthand in a short period of time.” You must have a high school diploma or equivalent and basic keyboarding and computer skills to enroll.
GO FROM TO
The first six-week session will begin on April 17 and conclude May 26 with classes held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday on the Virginia Beach Campus. Additional sessions will be offered. The cost is $3,950 and includes the exam fee required to be a Certified Electronic Reporter. Students who complete the program earn 24 Continuing Education Units, a TCC certificate of completion and membership and certification from the AAERT. Military-related students should contact the CMVE for information on using their education benefits to enroll in the digital court reporting program. Qualifying military spouses can fund the program through Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts. Contact Batanya Gipson at 757-822-7724 or bgipson@tcc.edu or email military@tcc.edu for information on how to apply for the program. – From Tidewater Community College
ENLISTED
ENROLLED
Whether you’re active-duty, retired or transitioning military, TCC offers the support, training, and degrees and certificates you need to succeed. Your spouse and children, too. Call 757-822-7777 or visit tcc.edu/mil today to learn why TCC is “Best for Vets.”
14 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l FINANCIAL AID INFO FOR MILITARY SPOUSES
The ABCs of financial aid for education for military spouses Going back to school can really pay off both in personal rewards and in the dollar figure on your paycheck. The U.S. Census Bureau says degree holders earn about 75 percent more in their lifetimes than those without a degree. The challenge is, you have to pony up for tuition and expenses first, and that’s what stops a lot of potential students in their tracks. But don’t give up your higher education dreams just yet — you can find financial help for school costs and start investing in yourself and your future. Paying for school can mean a mix of financial resources, from federal grants to military spouse scholarships. Whether you’re going to school for the first time or going back for an advanced degree, the financial aid options below can give you financial freedom, so you can focus on your future. FEDERAL STUDENT AID Start your search for financial aid at the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/. Billions of dollars in loans and grants are awarded to eligible students each year. To apply for loans and grants, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal grants are based on financial need and include: • PELL GRANTS – You don’t have to pay back a grant, so apply if you’re an undergraduate student without a degree or have one if you’re getting a teacher certification. • FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GRANTS – These need-based grants are for low-income undergraduate students. • TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS – Would-be teachers willing to teach in a high-need field in a low-income area can get this grant. • IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SERVICE
The U.S. Census Bureau says degree holders earn about 75 percent more in their lifetimes than those without a degree. GRANTS – You’re eligible if your parent or guardian served in the U.S. Armed Forces and died while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. If you don’t qualify for a grant, hang in there – you still have options. Check out these loan programs: • THE WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM – This program offers direct subsidized loans (you pay no interest when you meet specific criteria), direct unsubsidized loans (you pay interest, and financial need isn’t a requirement) and direct PLUS loans (graduate and professional students, and parents of eligible family members who are undergraduate students can apply for help covering costs not paid by other aid sources). • THE FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM – Schools give you this loan (about 1,700 schools) if you’re an undergraduate or graduate student with exceptional financial need. POST-9/11 GI BILL® If your service member is eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, it’s possible to transfer those benefits to you if one of the following criteria were met on or after Aug. 1, 2009: Served at least six years on the date of benefit approval. Your service member must agree to serve another four years from the date of benefit election. Served at least 10 years on the date of benefit approval, but is restricted from serving four more years. Standard policy or statute can restrict serving an
additional four years, but your service member could agree to serve for the maximum time allowed by the policy or statute. Is or becomes retirement eligible from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2012. Your service member must agree to serve for another period, but for how long depends on the retirement eligibility date. Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits are flexible about the type of school you can attend and can also pay for some of your school-related expenses: • Undergraduate and graduate degrees • Technical training • On-the-job training, flight training • Correspondence training • Licensing • Entrepreneurship training • National testing programs • Tutoring • Housing (a monthly allowance) • Books and supplies (yearly stipend for those who qualify) Visit the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs for more details on the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/, and the Montgomery GI Bill®, www.gibill. va.gov/benefits/Montgomery_gibill/ index.html MY CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNT SCHOLARSHIP Military moves can make it hard to have a steady career in some fields. The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/ mycaa/default.aspx, helps military spouses get into portable career fields and occupations. Here’s the rundown: It’s for military spouses. Your service member must be on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, O-1 to O-2, and W-1
to W-2. Spouses of National Guard and Reserve with Title 10 military orders are eligible, too. Get up to $4,000. This is serious cash you can use at a participating school for an associate degree, certificate or license in an approved career field or occupation. Liberal arts or general studies degrees are not eligible to receive these funds. Pays your tuition. The scholarship covers only tuition costs. SCHOOL-SPECIFIC AID Don’t forget to check with the schools, too, because lots of them offer need- and merit-based financial aid packages (scholarships, work-study programs, assistantships and loans). Contact the schools’ financial aid office for information. PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS It takes a little more digging around, but you can find funds for school from private and non-profit organizations – typically need- or merit-based with a specific qualifier. It can be really specific, like you must be the child or grandchild of a helicopter pilot. But you never know, so look around — you just might find something that has “you” written all over it. These types of scholarships are often first come, first served, so start looking early and often. Check out the Scholarship Finder on the MySECO website to learn more, https://myseco.militaryonesource. mil/Portal/Content/General/295. The absolute first thing you should do is to think about the costs and come up with a solid financial plan. You can find money for school, but be sure you understand all of the program’s requirements, terms and conditions. It’s a lot to think about. You can get help figuring it all out, like personalized guidance from the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. And learn about loans and repayment from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Know Before Your Owe student loans project, www.consumerfinance.gov/students/ knowbeforeyouowe/. – By militaryonesource.mil
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16 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l MILITARY EXPERIENCE CAN HELP YOU LAND A JOB
Let your military experience help you land a job The one fear that many military members have once they get out of service and become veterans is finding a job in the civilian world. Many of these veterans feel as though they are in no way appealing to civilian employers, and that they are way behind on everything that other people are bringing to the job they may wish to have. However, that is not true. Employers are excited to work with veterans, because they find that veterans often bring a sense of duty to the position that is hard
to find with those who have never been in the military. Veterans need to realize that their military experience could help them land any job they want in the civilian world. WHAT CIVILIAN EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR IN EMPLOYEES A civilian employer often has a list of requirements that they wish for a potential employee to have. Many of these requirements are listed in their job applications. For example, they often want someone who is trustworthy, who has experience dealing with people and/or
managing others, who is responsible and dependable. There are other requirements they may want that are on a technical level, but it all boils down to finding someone who is going to
step into the position and do their job without having to be told at every step of the way what they should be doing. That is the dream employee to have for many employers.
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CCE l MILITARY EXPERIENCE CAN HELP YOU LAND A JOB WHY YOUR MILITARY EXPERIENCE HELPS It does not matter if you were in the military for four years or for 15 years. Chances are, you picked up a variety of experiences while in. Though you may feel that your two deployments to overseas will not matter much to civilians, you are wrong. When considering what employers are wanting, most veterans fit the ideal candidate. You have spent your military career taking orders, learning how to exceed at each task you were give, thinking on your feet in intense situations, and this makes you someone that people want to hire.
HOW TO LET YOUR EXPERIENCE SHOW In order to let employers know that you have the experience they require within a job, you have to show this. Therefore, do not be afraid to list your medals and awards that you have received. If you received a Good Conduct award for every year that you were enlisted, by all means, be sure that you tell a potential employer this. Good Conduct awards are only given in the military to those who deserve such an award, therefore, do not be afraid to boast this. Secondly, when interviewing for positions, talk about the way you functioned in the
military. If you were in charge of lower-ranking military members, include this in your story. This shows that you can manage others and still fulfill your job duties. What many veterans do not realize is that they are fully qualified to work in a variety of civilian jobs. They simply have to let their experience speak for them. Employers are often looking to hire veterans, and this is due to the success they have had in having veterans in the workplace for the past several years. For more information, contact hireourheroes.org. – From Military.com
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18 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017
CCE l FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
HOW TO USE YOUR MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE TO FIND FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT As a military spouse, federal civil service employment may be more accessible than you think. Use these resources in your job search: • USAJOBS.gov • Programs for military spouses (Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses program and the Priority Placement Program for Military Spouses) • Your military support services • Military OneSource Understanding the benefits and rules of the complex federal civil service hiring system can help you decide if federal employment is right for you and which jobs to pursue. UNDERSTANDING CIVIL SERVICE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY SPOUSES Federal civil service positions for military spouses are filled by civilian personnel offices on local instal-
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lations. Procedures vary across regions, so check with your installation for details on vacancies. Most federal jobs are posted through USAJOBS, the federal government’s official jobs website. Create an account, then search for jobs by geographic location and job type. The job posting tells you how to apply for the position. In most cases, you’ll complete an application or create a resume on a specific resume-building website. Many positions listed on USAJOBS are open to the public. Some are open only to those meeting certain criteria, which may include: • Previous military service with an honorable discharge • Currently holds a competitive civil service position, including federal employment in Appropriated Fund positions • Previous competitive civil service employment with eligibility for reinstatement (federal employees
who held a career-conditional appointment) • Interchange eligibility, which includes employees in other types of federal employment such as Non-appropriated fund jobs, for at least one year (Non-appropriated fund jobs include jobs involving Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities such as military exchanges, recreation facilities and restaurants). • Eligibility for a noncompetitive appointment, including some military spouses Find more detailed information on these eligibilities when you create an account on USAJOBS. PROGRAMS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES Your local hiring authority or Civilian Personnel Office can help you understand how these programs work in your area. Here’s an overview: Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses A hiring authority or Civilian Personnel Office can hire a military spouse without going through the usual competitive process. Military widows or widowers and spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans are
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CCE l FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION also eligible. To participate in the program, you must: • Meet the job qualifications • Have moved with your spouse under permanent change of station (PCS) orders within the past two years • Note in your cover letter or application that you want consideration under the noncompetitive hiring authority for military spouses • Include a copy of your spouse’s permanent change of station orders • Include a copy of your marriage certificate Priority Placement Program for Military Spouses If you meet the requirements, you should apply for Program S or the Military Spouse Preference program. This is the only way to get military spouse preference for a civil service position within the continental United States. Apply for the program through your local Civilian Personnel Office, and provide: • Your marriage certificate • A copy of your spouse’s PCS orders
Employment isn’t guaranteed, but this program gives priority to military spouses applying for some positions. Visit the Army’s Civilian Personnel Online Military Spouse Preference page at www. cpol.army.mil/library/permiss/6314.html for more information. To apply for federal civil service jobs overseas, visit the Family Employment Readiness Program office at your installation’s Civilian Personnel Office. SEARCHING FOR FEDERAL JOBS There are thousands of federal positions available, so where do you start? These tips will help your search: • Network: It’s one of the most effective tools you can use. Family and friends working for the government may provide important information, including details about potential job openings. • Know your occupational group and series: Federal agencies generally post on job websites, sometimes on several. Finding jobs that match your qualifications can be easier when you know the group and series numbers. Go to the Federal Occupational Groups section of USAJOBS at www.
usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/search/advanced/occupational-series/ for a list of series numbers and job descriptions. • Search federal job websites: Almost all federal jobs are posted on USAJOBS. Be sure to follow the vacancy announcement instructions on how to apply, which sometimes means applying with an online resume-builder on a different site. Department of Defense job listings can be found on the Civilian Human Resources for the Navy and Marine Corps at www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Pages/Default.aspx and Army Civilian Service at www.armycivilianservice.com/sites. • Follow the instructions: Submit your resume and any additional information by the closing date and in the manner stated in the job vacancy announcement. You might not be considered if you don’t follow the instructions. • Join an applicant pool: Some agencies create applicant pools and continuously accept resumes for certain job series. Agencies may draw from the applicant pool when positions are available. – From militaryonesource.mil
20 CCE | CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION | SPRING 2017