Unlock tech opportunities: A guide for veterans

If you're a military member transitioning out of service or a veteran looking to plan the next step in your civilian life, a tech career is a good place to start. After leaving a life of military service, the path forward can feel overwhelming. If you're approaching this transition period with uncertainty, and even doubt about what your next job role should look like, you're not alone.

What many service members don't always recognize is that having a military background means you have a unique set of skills that can propel you toward a role in tech - a role that can grow and develop into a fruitful career.

Veterans bring a slew of benefits to the tech workforce. Having highly sought-after transferable skills and the ability to quickly develop technical skills, a tech career is not only an achievable career goal for many veterans, but one they'll simply thrive in.

When you pursue a tech career, you won't be starting from scratch. The skills you've developed while in service establish the perfect foundation for which to develop and build new technical skills.

Veterans make qualified tech professionals, here's why

When it comes to veterans pursuing tech roles, Ron Culler, Vice President of Cyber Development Programs at CompTIA and former veteran himself, says it best: "Veterans have skillsets that enable them to rapidly learn the foundations and excel rapidly up the ladder, assuming more and more responsibility."

Veterans make qualified tech professionals for a myriad of reasons. Their natural ability to gather information, analyze, and make decisions on the spot lends well to the various needs of most tech jobs today. Let's take a closer look at how your military background can position you for success in a tech career.

You have the right soft skills

Technical skills are a must in a majority of tech roles. But what's often overlooked is the importance of relevant soft skills. Soft skills are often described as traits and interpersonal skills that relate to how you manage your work, interact with colleagues, and complement technical skills in the workplace. These skills include the ability to:

• Problem solve

• Communicate

• Analyze complex situations and take appropriate action

• Think logically when needed, yet creatively when appropriate

• Collaborate and work as a team

• Follow structure and remain disciplined

• Demonstrate leadership and initiative

During your military service, you've honed valuable soft skills that can now be leveraged to address any technical skills gaps. By engaging in targeted training, you can acquire the specific technical skills needed to pursue your desired tech role.

The job market needs skilled candidates like you

There's no shortage of qualified candidates who have the right technical skills for many of the tech jobs in today's marketplace. However, veterans bring unique attributes to the job force -attributes that today's employers can't always find in even the most qualified candidates.

As a service member, you understand the importance of having a defined goal and a plan to reach that goal. You have an innate ability to look at complex problems and determine what problem-solving strategies are needed and what issues to prioritize. With this, you understand how to communicate clearly, work in a multidisciplinary team, and think tactically and logically.,

When you couple these character traits with the technical skills acquired through relevant tech training, you bring an edge to the marketplace. This edge lends well to tech roles in private, public, and government agencies. Employers recognize this pattern of veterans thriving in tech roles and have a vested interest in hiring such candidates. One popular resource that highlights this is the online platform, U.S. Tech Vets, an organization that connects veterans to tech jobs.

Pivot into these in-demand tech roles

The unique skill set you bring to the table as a veteran can set you up for success in the technology industry. Some of the top tech roles vets often transition into involve tech support, networking, and cybersecurity. Let's take a closer look at what these roles entail.

Tech Support Specialists

Tech Support Specialists can be classified as entry to mid-level tech professionals. They include job roles like IT Technician, Desktop Support Specialist, and Field Service Technician. They are largely responsible for working with end users both internally and externally within an enterprise.

These professionals have a solid understanding of tech foundations and help end users with everything from analyzing, troubleshooting, and evaluating technology issues. To thrive in this role, you should have a strong sense of problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability. This is one of several tech roles where you should also have a strong ability to communicate, as you'll largely work with end users.

Networking Specialist

An organization's Network Specialist plays an important role in keeping networks connected and secure. These specialists also analyze, troubleshoot, and assess computer network issues.

More advanced professionals may also play a role in designing an organization's networking infrastructure.

Professionals who thrive in this role have a strong sense of curiosity and want to understand how things work. They're also able to adapt when necessary and have the ability to work through complex problems that arise unexpectedly.

Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, and the demand for skilled professionals is top of mind for employers in all industries. There are various roles that fall under the umbrella of cybersecurity. Generally, cybersecurity specialists are in charge of detecting threats and implementing changes when necessary. They also oversee the security of an organization's networks; identify and manage vulnerabilities, and maintain compliance, employee security training documents, and manage overall security policies.

Hear from a vet who has made the leap into a new tech career

You're not alone in your journey toward a tech career as you transition out of the military. Gain inspiration from others who have successfully made the switch into tech after exiting the armed forces.

Daniel Avila is one such success. In a CompTIA Spotlight, he shares that his time in the military helped prepare him for his rewarding career as an IT support specialist for a managed service provider (MSP).

"Thanks to the military, I've learned to stay calm under pressure," Avila shares. "Whether the network goes down or someone has a broken computer that they need fixed right away, you have to stay calm, take a step back and look at the issue at hand in order to come up with a solution that is not only quick for the user, but also practical for the company."

You can learn more about Daniel's background and his path to success when you read his story.

You have what it takes: Plan your path forward today

An exciting career in tech is closer than you think. If you're transitioning out of the military, you're a step ahead with the foundational skills you've gained through military training. The next step is to plan your path forward in tech. Turn to the industry leading tech training and certification association, CompTIA, to learn relevant tech skills. Follow these steps to reach a new milestone in your professional career.

1. Narrow down the tech role that aligns with your skills and personality

The first step in starting a new tech career is narrowing down the tech specialties you want to pursue. Discover how your skills match up with different tech when you take our career quiz.

2. Use the Career Path Planning Tool to find the right certifications

When you have an idea of what tech specialty you want to explore, the next step is to learn more about it and compare it with other roles of which you might be interested. Our career path planning tool can help. When you pinpoint the tech role you want to pursue, this tool can help you identify the appropriate certifications that will allow you to develop those specialized technical skills.

3. Turn to VA funding to support your education

As a veteran, you have access to different avenues of funding that can help support your education, including the purchase of tech training tools and certification vouchers. Speak with your VA benefits representative to learn more about what educational opportunities may be available to you.

4. Create a study plan that aligns with your lifestyle

As you envision the tech role you want to pursue, you'll also need to start thinking about training approaches that can help you learn the skills you'll need to pass your certification exam. At CompTIA, our training tools are diverse and flexible, ensuring that they fit into your lifestyle no matter what it looks like. When you weave the right training tools into your study plan, you'll build a foundation for success.

5. Purchase your A+ certification voucher and schedule your first exam

For many veterans who are pivoting into tech, the A+ certification is often the first place to start. As you progress through your training and study plan, pick a date to purchase your A+ certification voucher and sit for your exam. When you unlock your first certification, you'll build the momentum and confidence needed to get closer to your next tech career.

Start your training today

Your next chapter in civilian life does not have to feel uncertain. When you prepare for a path forward with a globally recognized and respected training and certification association like CompTIA, you're a step ahead of the game.

Our industry leading certifications validate that you have the technical skills needed to thrive in highly sought-after tech roles like the ones listed above. Ready to discover what's possible? Learn more about tech career paths when you head over to our career path exploration page.