With nearly 50 million people in the US having a college degree, how do you stand out as the more qualified candidate? Graduate degrees will give you that edge and give you a specialization. Degrees give you great theory in your area of expertise, but certifications give you practical and real-world applications.
Earning a professional certification is much more affordable than a degree, and takes less time. Granted, they can still come with a hefty price tag, with most costing hundreds of dollars for just the test. There are great programs that will help military students with these costs and courses.
The time, dedication, money, and thousands of hours logged for these certifications can show employers that you are dedicated to your career in this field. Your certification also shows that you can follow a standard set by industry leaders and that employers can count on you to adhere to the industry integrity in your work. Certifications need to be maintained, so employers will also know that you are current with industry changes and practices. With the level of dedication and proven knowledge, a professional certification increases your earning potential against other candidates with experience and education that lack that certification.
Our sister organization, CASY, offers free training to veterans and spouses for new career paths in Cybersecurity and Transportation and Logistics.

Written by: Becky Ganley, Onward to Opportunity Program Coordinator, Camp Lejeune,
and Zaneta, MSCCN Marketing Content Coordinator