Career Talk Blog | Why Military Spouses with Degrees Shouldn’t Disregard MyCAA Certifications

With a resource as great as MyCAA, The Major Group hopes that all military spouses, despite their previous education, can take advantage of their $4,000 military spouse grant while they are eligible.

If you already have a degree, chances are you’ve heard of MyCAA and may have thought it wasn’t for you. Many military spouses with bachelors’ or graduate degrees are interested in using the grant, but when they find out it has to be used towards a certification, license or associate’s program, they are turned off. However, they should be excited by the possibilities for military spouse career training.

 

The MyCAA enrollment process for spouses with degrees is very fast.

What usually can take weeks will only take a few days. A major benefit of having a degree is that you’ll get through the enrollment process quickly and smoothly. So, if you already have a four-year degree, how can MyCAA benefit you? Depending on your current career situation, there are many ways to utilize the grant.

 

Professional Certifications

Military spouses can enhance their current degree by obtaining a professional certification. These certifications, such as Project Management Professional or Six Sigma, are beneficial in many industries. Professional certifications are highly sought after by employers and can greatly increase an applicant’s starting salary. Whether it’s finance, healthcare, legal, government, manufacturing or another industry, having a professional certification will set you apart from other candidates.

 

Industry Certifications

If you’re seeking employment in a specific field, an industry certification will be beneficial to you. Many military spouses regret majoring in broad fields that have proven to be difficult to find employment.

Industry certifications allow you to work in specific jobs that are often highly demanded. Is your four-year degree limiting you from applying to portable jobs near you? It’s not too late for a career change, and getting certified in the healthcare field may be for you. Getting your foot in the door in a different industry may serve as a good placeholder, especially if you are spending time in more remote location.

On top of gaining knowledge and skills, enrolling in a certificate program is a great way to build your resume. Fill gaps between duty stations or jobs by attending school. Our accredited online programs only take 3-6 months to complete.

Employers love to see candidates who have been in school continuing their education. At no cost to you, this is a great way to appeal to employers, strengthen your resume, and further your career!

 

Unsure of what certification is beneficial to you as a degree holder?

We’ve put together a list to get you started:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – No matter where you are in the world or what industry you’re seeking to work in, learn to speak the language used by 650,000 of certified project managers around the globe. PMP is recognized as the gold standard in the project management. Impress future employers by learning to balance multiple projects, lead a team and develop management skills.

•  Six Sigma (Black Belt, Green Belt) – Top companies use Six Sigma, a data driven approach to reduce errors, waste and variations, and increase quality and efficiency. A Six Sigma certification is ideal for any professional looking to gain employment with a company that utilizes these concepts. No matter the industry, you’ll be well positioned for advancements within your field by obtaining a Six Sigma certification.

•  Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA-CCMA) – A specialized healthcare certification will open many doors for military spouses to apply for highly demanded, portable careers. Many healthcare fields require these certifications to be eligible for employment. Reduce the amount of down time between duty stations by obtaining a healthcare specific certification.

•  QuickBooks – QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software and military spouses with degrees seeking to work in financial and other industries can benefit from being proficient. We offer multiple bookkeeping courses that will train you hands on and prepare you for the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User exam and other national certification exams.

 

Even with a bachelor’s degree, there are plenty of ways for military spouses to use their MyCAA.

Get quickly enrolled, fill gaps in your resume, obtain career training and enhance the education and you already have.