Robert Reid
Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility (CISR) Practitioner Certification
How do you feel a certificate program benefitted you as opposed to a degree in a similar field?
Higher education is undeniably valuable. I encourage military veterans to use their benefits to earn a college degree. At the same time, a professional certification can provide a shorter runway to achieving credentials that set you apart from the competition. CISR was a perfect fit to build on my military experience. SHERPA Sustainability Institute’s 14-week online program allowed me to rapidly upskill my Lean Six Sigma expertise.
Were there specific skills you learned during your military service that led you to choose your career path?
As a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, much of my military career involved leading continual improvement deployments facilitating cost savings, efficiency and improved quality. Training sailors, marines and civilians in Lean Six Sigma, I cultivated the skills in others to drive change. A post-military career with environmental impact, especially in energy innovation, appealed to me. I joined NG1 TechFlo Exhaust, a greentech company, driving change in the transportation industry with fuel savings and emission benefits.
What advice would you give to veterans hoping to pursue a civilian career through a certificate or certification program?
Veterans should choose professional certificate programs that provide real-world experience in growing civilian careers. Also, evidence of competency is important to employers. In the online CISR program, candidates complete a sustainability project in prepartion for a profession with career growth. Veterans should be sure they won’t be out on their own, as well. Throughout my certifying project, I’ve had support from NG1TechFlo Exhaust Executives, my project team and my CISR Coach at SHERPA Sustainability Institute.
Kyle W.
Certificate in Explosive Ordinance Disposal 2013
How do you feel a certificate program benefitted you as opposed to a degree in a similar field?
A certificate program allowed me to specialize in a specific field within a reasonable period of time, without the need to go through the process of full degree program. The certificate program in Explosive Ordinance Disposal specifically allowed me to gain a thorough understanding of the history through chemical compounds of explosives. This in-depth and specialized program has given me a skillset that I can use in my career as an employee of the Department of Homeland Security.
Were there specific skills you learned during your military service that led you to choose your career path?
My service in the military taught me dedication to my country and the desire to serve my country, whether in uniform or in civilian service. I come from a four-generation military family where it was instilled in me that there is no greater honor than serving. Growing up I always knew that I would serve in one capacity or another. This began from the time I was in High School NJROTC, through my time in the National Guard and until the events of 9/11. It was 9/11 that brought me to my current profession and ever since then I have always known that I will do everything I can in order to ensure that every American can sleep soundly at night knowing that there are those out there protecting America and its freedoms that we all hold so dear.
What advice would you give to veterans hoping to pursue a civilian career through a certificate or certification program?
As a veteran entering pursuing a civilian career, I can attest that employers recognize the importance of education. When pursuing a career in a particular field, a specialized program such as a certificate program can add valuable weight to a resume or candidate profile. In addition to the incredibly valuable life skills that your military service has taught you, a certificate program shows that you have taken an initiative to learn a very specialized field. Employers recognize that you will bring a wealth of valuable information to the table.
Lee Moreland
Onward to Opportunity – Veteran Career Transitioning Program (O2O-VCTP)
How do you feel a certificate program benefitted you as opposed to a degree in a similar field?
Like many transitioning veterans with families, I couldn’t afford to be unemployed for an extended period. Before I even left the service, Onward to Opportunity (O2O) in partnership with the Veterans Career Transition Program VCTP provided me the employment training to obtain a certificate quicker than the college admittance process, with an immediate improvement to my resume and then direct connections to employers who were hiring.
Were there specific skills you learned during your military service that led you to choose your career path?
The O2O-VCTP staff does a great job of guiding you to the right opportunity and helping you know what to expect. As an army signal officer, I was responsible for nearly every IT domain: servers, radios, satellites, networks, security and governance — you name it. Most IT positions in the civilian field are specialized within a specific domain, but the program manager role I secured at Starbucks gives me the ability to operate across all areas of IT. Learning from people who focus only on getting veterans employed certainly is a big support.
What advice would you give to veterans hoping to pursue a civilian career through a certificate or certification program?
My advice is to pursue certificates that paint a connection between your military skills and the skills required by civilian employers. Onward to Opportunity-VCTP has a wide selection of certificates that let you demonstrate your value to any civilian employer.Getting your certification before you transition makes things go a lot smoother. Look for certificate programs that offer other services like resume building, networking, negotiation tactics and even“civilian culture.”
Staff, [email protected]
