Look Into Military Benefits
Matt Scherer created his own bailout after serving as a public affairs craftsman in the United States Air Force for 20 years. Although he had earned a degree in education at Illinois State University prior to entering the Air Force, Scherer knew in order to launch a career in public relations he would need a related college degree to succeed.
"Every time I talked to people, they were talking about the diploma," says the now-owner of Scherer Communications, a public relations firm in San Antonio, Texas. "What is often overlooked by military veterans are their VA benefits. I used them five years ago to jump-start my [civilian] career."
By working through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Scherer's tuition and books were paid for, and he also received a monthly stipend. The educational commitment paid off. "I have increased my rates by 200 percent since earning my degree and no one has ever complained."
Create a Long-Term Strategy
Karen Fuqua, founder and president of Fuqua Consulting Group, a career services firm, says creating a long-term strategy is key for a career with potential. Similar to how Scherer knew it would take several years to earn a degree and become an expert in his field, Fuqua says it's important to devise and assess a realistic plan.
"Create a strategy where you see yourself in five and 10 years. Just because you have a salary today doesn't mean you'll have one tomorrow." Her advice? Identify steps that help achieve your goal, such as certification, a new degree, mentoring, and networking. Then implement it.
"Once you've determined the career path to take, it [becomes] time to map it," Fuqua says. "Research the necessary credentials [certificate program, degree, skills training, etc.] and the requirements for earning them, determine the financial cost and time requirements, and then outline a pragmatic schedule to complete them."
Control Your Own Destiny
Christopher Reynolds, instructor of emergency management at American Military University (AMU), recommends thinking about the job you're in right now and highlighting what distinguishes you from your competition and how your education will enhance that. "After I earn my degree," explains Jennifer M. Deater, a public health major at American Public University, "I'll have the opportunity to pursue management roles or provider relations/sales."
Reynolds notes the importance of taking ownership of your career via education. "We recently had one graduate who was successful in securing a position in Alaska. What set her apart from the rest was her master's degree in emergency and disaster management. The hiring agency made particular note of mentioning AMU's emergency and disaster management program as the tie-breaker when she was selected."
Above all, when it comes to taking the reigns on driving your career forward, Fuqua notes that the people who succeed are the ones who think creatively. Whether it's focusing on specific actions to determine a desired outcome, meeting frequently with a mentor, or pursuing another degree, getting ahead happens when you take control of your own destiny. "Out-of-the-box thinkers bail themselves out instead of waiting for opportunities to come along."
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