Gone are the days when employers sought out talent with a four-year degree or master’s-level education to hire for specific positions. Instead, organizations increasingly prefer an experienced professional who has the required skill sets needed to perform a particular job. Employers always strive to find the best resource for every position, but if unsuccessful, they will offer upskilling programs.
Many veterans don’t require an upskilling program; they can simply opt for certification programs. This will help them to acquire the relevant skills needed to land a promising job. Most of the certifications can be completed in under one year and at a minimal cost. Below are five of the best certifications for veterans:
1. Aquent Gymnasium UX Fundamentals
For those hoping to enter the field of digital design, whether a veteran or a military spouse, it is imperative that he or she acquire a basic working knowledge of the fundamentals of UX. If veterans are interested in this field, they can opt for the Aquent Gymnasium UX Fundamentals certification course.
However, in doing so, it is vital for them to be familiar with design software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. After the completion of the program, they will be on their way to becoming UX experts. This program expands to six lessons. It will take designers about 6 hours to complete the certification. Companies typically pay UX designers $97,000 per year.
2. Harvard University CS50 Introduction to Computer Science
Veterans who are interested in pursuing a career as a web developer or computer scientist but are not ready for the four-year commitment can still acquire the right set of skills from Harvard University’s certification course CS50 Introduction to Computer Science.
This is a free course of over twelve weeks. The program requires six to eighteen hours each week. This certification will train users in cybersecurity, web development, and computer structures. It will also allow users to learn computer languages such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, C, CSS, and HTML. Companies typically pay web developers around $89,000 per year.
3. Data Science Professional Certificate from IBM
Big corporations are always on the hunt for data experts, scientists, and analysts that are skilled at harvesting and managing data. It would be a good move for veterans reentering the job market to opt for IBM Data Science Professional Certification. This program will help them become a successful data scientist. Moreover, it will teach them other marketable skills, including Python and SQL. The certification includes ten courses; it can be completed in eleven months. Considering a data scientist usually earns $108,000 per year, it is worth the effort to pursue this certification program.
4. Google Project Management: Professional Certificate
Professional project managers are always in demand. The majority of employers are almost always looking for them in the job market. As of now, project managers are making around $54,000 to $106,000 per year. If veterans want to learn this skill, they can do so by opting for the certification program called Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.
This program is divided into six courses. It is more than 140 hours long and usually takes about six months to complete. Upon the completion of this certification, employers will be able to hire veterans to fill the position of Project Manager in their company.
5. Inbound Marketing Course from HubSpot Academy
Even if veterans have no idea what outbound and inbound marketing are, HubSpot can help in this regard. The course’s certification program imparts just how critical inbound marketing is to the modern marketplace. Inbound marketing encompasses digital content while strategically using social media to generate sales. Veterans can rely on HubSpot Academy’s Inbound Marketing course to become an expert in optimizing their marketing strategies by using new marketing tools and developing interesting content.
This is a free program comprised of seven courses that are covered over a duration of about four hours. After the completion of this program, vets can expect to earn a median salary of $56,000 as digital marketing specialists.
Conclusion
While it is often difficult for veterans to transition into the civilian market upon completion of their military service, the easy acquisition of marketplace skills quickly adds to their value proposition and to a company’s employer brand. In the event a veteran aspires to a job for which he or she does not have the requisite skills, online certifications offer an inroad into the marketplace. Completing such programs will not only help veterans add new skills to their repertoire and encourage them to seek out the perfect employment opportunity along the way.