5 Great Bachelor’s Degree Areas of Study for Veterans

Great Bachelor’s Degrees Areas of Study for VeteransGreat Bachelor’s Degrees for Veterans

  • Criminal Justice
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Nursing
  • Management

For veterans who are just returning to civilian life, the first step is generally finding a bachelor’s degree area of study that best suits them. While it can seem daunting to find a degree that would help a veteran in the civilian sector, the fact is that the military provides an immense amount of experience and a valuable set of skills. In fact, Forbes is reporting that many veterans don’t realize that they are more than qualified for high-paying jobs, like the ones in the areas listed below.

Criminal Justice

Studying criminal justice is a great place to start. Nearly every position held in the military lends itself to a smooth transition into civilian life jobs, such as a police officer or a job held at any one of the agencies in the federal government.

Most civil law enforcement jobs don’t require a degree; the exception to the rule is working for federal agencies, who prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree. However, getting a degree will increase opportunities from the beginning, landing veterans in higher positions within law enforcement than they would have if they applied without a college education.

Engineering

One of the most in-demand sectors in the civilian workforce is engineering. In fact, engineering is one of the top best bachelor’s degree areas of study in the country, and it is projected to grow at an increased rate over the next 10 years. Veterans who are adept at STEM subjects would find engineering to be a challenging and rewarding choice.

Engineering does take years of education and training, but it’s worth every minute. Veterans can make upwards of $85,000 a year at the entry-level as reported by Military.com, and opportunities are available to advance after at least one year of experience.

Computer Science

For veterans who worked in computer science in the military, earning a bachelor’s degree in this area of study will boost their job prospects as well as the salary they may earn. Computer science graduates are in high demand; veterans can find jobs as programmers, coders, and developers in nearly every sector in the country.

Veterans can leverage their experience working with computers in the military along with their degree to earn high-paying jobs that other candidates may not be qualified for. And since this is a secure career, they can also rest easy knowing they will always be in demand.

Nursing

One of the best bachelor’s degrees area of study for any veteran is nursing. This is because of the fact that all medical personnel, regardless of their position, receive basic medical training beyond what civilians are taught. This medical training and, for some veterans, experience, can lead to a long career in nursing.

Nursing is also one of the most in-demand jobs in the country as well as one of the most secure. There are also chances for specialization within the sector, allowing ambitious veterans to find a career niche that works for them and can lead them to a satisfying career.

Management

It should come as no surprise that a management bachelor’s degree would be a good fit for a veteran. Many veterans have worked in supervising troops, large projects, and even task forces during their time in the military. The fact that all of those who’ve served have experience in management in times of peace and in times of stress is the experience that civilian employers are looking for.

Civilian jobs in management can pay salaries of around $80,000, and veterans are often the most praised in these positions. Further education could lead to jobs that pay more than $100,000, ensuring that veterans are paid well for their time and experience.

Finding a bachelor’s degree area of study for veterans is an important task; it cannot be overstated how having a good job after military service is important. These are just five examples, but there are dozens more, all of which will help them transition into a happy and productive life as a civilian.

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