Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Career Paths That Dont Require a College Degree


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Many people, when they think of education, naturally think of getting a college degree. But for others, including many service members, a college degree is not part of their future plans. Some people are simply not interested in spending two to four years in an academic setting.

If you're in the military, and not interested in going to college, there are still a number of careers you can train for while you serve. Vocational courses train for careers in some of today's most popular industries. And many of these courses which require only months of training - not years.

Remember that service members in most branches of the military qualify for Military Tuition Assistance, which pays up to $4,500 a year for accredited vocational programs. Service members, in many cases, also have the option of taking these career training programs online.

Here are some common career paths that you can prepare for while you're in the service:


  • Real Estate Agent - The real estate market may be down right now, but remember that real estate is historically one of the country's best investments. When the market returns, real estate agents will be selling houses again and making money

  • Medical Coder - The health care industry is doing well and trained medical coders are in demand; work in a medical office and help code medical documents

  • Pharmacy Technician - Get the career training to fill prescriptions in retail, hospital and mail-order pharmacies

  • Medical Transcription - This is a true work-at-home career that allows someone to transcribe medical dictation from a doctor while they remain at home

  • Home Inspector - You're the person who inspects a house before a buyer makes the biggest financial commitment of his life; if you are detail-orientated and a jack-of-all trades, this may be the career for you

  • Property Management - Manage commercial or residential properties; you'll ensure that a property is run smoothly and that tenants get the services they require

  • Licensed Contractor - Get the contractor training you need to pass the California state exam and get working as a contractor in the Golden State

These are just a few examples of the different career paths you can train for while you serve in the military. And the best thing is that you do not need a college degree to work in these career fields. To learn more about using Military Tuition Assistance (TA) for vocational career training, contact your Education Service Officer (ESO) on base; ask them for school recommendations and they will help you find a school that fits your goals. They'll also help complete your Tuition Assistance paperwork.

The important thing to remember with TA is that you have earned this benefit because of your service in the military. If you don't take advantage of your TA benefits it's gone and you'll be leaving $4,500 on the table each year.

Additionally, many schools now offer military spouses discounts or for service members who enroll using TA benefits. When you speak with a school's admissions representatives, please remember to ask if they offer any military spouse programs.

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