What are the best tech training programs available for veterans who have no college degree but want to start a civilian career in tech?

CPT David Gowel — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:50:17 -0400

Response by LT Erik Frederick made Jun 23 at 2016 4:52 PM

LT Erik Frederick — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:52:31 -0400

I think there are several that specualize by both geography and technology. Do you have something specifc in mind?

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 4:57 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:57:04 -0400

You might want to look into GIS. They have a lot of free, on-line seminars and it's becoming a a must-have for anyone interested in first-responder/emergency management http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis

What is GIS

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 5:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:04:09 -0400

FedVTE, edX, coursera, JKO, Lynda, via LinkedIn for Veterans. Syracuse University VCTP for a tech certification.

https://jtspratley.com/blog/links-for-your-career-progression-it-lg-hr

Links for Your Career Progression-IT, LG, HR

JtSpratley.com is the hub for music, videos, podcasts, and Go Live Lively blogs by Jacqueem Jt Spratley. Read about IT, cybersecurity, and free open source software (FOSS).

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jun 23 at 2016 5:05 PM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:05:25 -0400

First, get with Voc Rehab at the local VA center. They'll probably have a good line on technical schools in the area based on what field they want to get into. Second, cert programs available at various tech institutes in the area. Certs are sometimes better than a college degree (though if you can combine both, that's way better). Third, if looking into an actual degree program; 1) Programming is programming is programming, look to Computer Science for programming degree paths or 2) for System/Network Operations, look for programs with multifaceted aspects of the IT field, as role specialization is no longer acceptable... you have to be able to perform many different functions, even at an entry level position.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 5:13 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:13:25 -0400

YouTube, the most overlooked and underrated education source. Companies want people who are competent in their field

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Jun 23 at 2016 7:16 PM

SPC John Lebiecki — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:16:20 -0400

Many people have pointed out the vagueness of the question, so I wont beat the dead horse. Find the interest and go from there. I went IT, started working from Desktop Support, to a Tech support engineer type role to now something specialized within Networking. Certifications will make or break a career (and in most areas is required to even get the foot in the door.)

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Jun 23 at 2016 7:36 PM

GySgt Carl Rumbolo — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:36:05 -0400

Technical certifications in and of themselves does not necessarily translate to an actual job offer. Too many folks think getting a 'cert' gets you an employment offer - a certification may get your resume put in the 'interview' pile, but unless you have experience, it can be sometimes difficult to get the job you want - you may have to start at a lower level - IT support, help desk, etc. and build your career from the ground up.

If you are coming out of the service with experience, then having some certifications will be a big help going forward. I strongly recommend staying away from some of those "IT University" type schools - for profit, pushing you to take classes. Look around, shop wisely.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 10:38 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 22:38:44 -0400

Contacting defense contractors is always a solid idea. Companies like Raytheon hire veterans who are experts in their respective military jobs to do jobs that are similar on the civilian side. Any company that's into weapons manufacturing for the military is usually a good route. What's more is that they'll actually look at how you performed in the military with an educated frame of reference from other veterans to give you a leg up over your civilian counterparts. cool stuff.

Response by Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. made Jun 28 at 2016 10:25 AM

Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:25:49 -0400

Go take a A+ IT course

Response by CPO Willton Silvestre made Jun 28 at 2016 11:56 AM

CPO Willton Silvestre — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:56:52 -0400

Just a short response to the question, I have nothing to do with Spartan University, but they came out with a on-line distance learning Airframe & Powerplant course that is the only FAA approved for distance learning, where you can get your certification, and also your A.S. Degree, within 18 months, whether your active or retired VA, GI Bill, part of their accreditation is job placement which is close to 90% of graduating students. Seams like another way to get tech training, from my perspective

Response by CPO Willton Silvestre made Jun 28 at 2016 12:00 PM

CPO Willton Silvestre — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:00:49 -0400

Just wanted to respond to the original question on tech jobs. I have nothing to do with Spartan University, but they launched the only distance learning FAA approved Airframe and Powerplants certification program that you will also get a A.S Degree if you want within a 18 month time frame. Part of their accreditation is job placement for graduating student is at 90%. If you didn't know, working on drones and Electric Power windmiills you will need an A&P Certification. Just my two cents.

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Jun 28 at 2016 1:41 PM

MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:41:53 -0400

ITT Technical Institute is probably your best bet.

Response by AN Rodman Lundin made Jun 28 at 2016 11:22 PM

AN Rodman Lundin — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 23:22:44 -0400

I teach at Redstone college they honor the va/ Gi bill for school . Aviation electronics advanced electronics and wind energy 2 year degrees, we have an 80% job placement upon graduation!

Response by PO2 Michael Henry made Jun 29 at 2016 12:50 AM

PO2 Michael Henry — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:50:26 -0400

Go to community college and start there. Why? it's cheap and close to home. Find a school with a solid IT program, one that would teach Linux, Windows Server 2012, maybe 2008, Cisco, virtualization, various languages like Python, Ruby, SQL etc. The schools near me are WAY behind the times, teaching courses like Unix, Server 2003, etc. Create a VM or two at home and install Linux. Got a spare PC, install Linux on it. Get a set of A+, N+, and Secuirty+ books, then self study. Find projects associated with each cert to help make up for the lack of experience. Advertise through friends, family even church asking if they need help. Sites like http://www.codeacademy.com, http://www.edx.org, will help and offer free classes. I am going through Western Governors University (http://www.wgu.edu) and they make you display competency in each class before you move on. Some classes require a certification exam as your final to prove competency. For the Security program, I have to get A+, N+, Security+, Project+, Linux+, CCENT, CCNA, and CCNA Security + capstone to graduate. $3,000 per term, all the classes you can take in a 6 month term and vet friendly. I came in with my AAS Network Administration, A+ and N+. I got 68 credits of 124 approved. Now finished 8 units since March 1 and have Security+ and Project+. Have to finish Linux+ part 1 by Aug 31, plan on finishing both. Already had 1 interview 2 weeks ago and 2 offers via phone today.

Learn to code

Learn to code interactively, for free.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Jun 29 at 2016 12:53 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:53:21 -0400

I would suggest a AAS in the field you want to get into and remember to add your time in class as experience since you are physically doing the projects. I'm not sure about the officer side of the house or if you can receive the GI Bill like those of us that were enlisted but if you can becoming a VA Workstudy could also be an option while going to college to get the networking and experience in. For example I had a student that was getting a Networking and Administration degree and at the same time was doing workstudy at the VA Medical Center in the IT department. He now works at the VA Medical Center here.

Response by SPC Paul Tillson made Jul 12 at 2016 2:52 PM

SPC Paul Tillson — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 14:52:45 -0400

CPT David Gowel There are many top notch schools that offer free courses, search online for what schools can give you the courses you want, I would suggest budgeting your time.

Response by SPC Sokhen In made Jul 13 at 2016 10:59 PM

SPC Sokhen In — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 22:59:15 -0400

Cisco is offering scholarships (free training and exams) for their new CCNA Cyber Ops cert. Here is a link:

https://mkto.cisco.com/Security-Scholarship.html

The important part is the qualifications:
Qualifications

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must meet these qualifications:

General:

Be at least 18 years old
Be proficient in English
Basic technical competency (possess one or more of the following):

Cisco certification (Cisco CCENT certification or higher)
Relevant industry certification [(ISC)2, CompTIA Security+, EC-Council, GIAC, ISACA]
Cisco Networking Academy letter of completion (CCNA 1 and CCNA 2)
At least three years of combined experience in approvedU.S. military job roles
Windows expertise: Microsoft (Microsoft Specialist, MCSA, MCSE), CompTIA (A+, Network+, Server+)
Linux expertise: CompTIA (Linux+), Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certification, Linux Foundation (LFCS, LFCE), Red Hat (RHCSA, RHCE, RHCA), Oracle Linux (OCA, OCP)
Candidate acknowledgment:

Planning a career in IT cybersecurity
Prepared to complete training in three months
Willing to share a success story

I know many of you have gotten some Comptia certs, which means you qualify. Others of you are qualifying military veterans. Either way I highly encourage you to apply.

Cisco

In our digital era, organizations are relying increasingly on cybersecurity to protect themselves, enable trust, move faster, add value, and grow. As the volume and sophistication of cyberattacks rises, organizations are experiencing a significant shortage of IT professionals with cybersecurity skills.

Response by SSgt Christopher Mortell made Jul 13 at 2016 11:05 PM

SSgt Christopher Mortell — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:05:28 -0400

Siemens Healthcare in the US offered basic medical imaging technology repair training paid to veterans who could pass a basic electronics test.

Response by Anita Nowocin made Jul 17 at 2016 2:00 AM

Anita Nowocin — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 02:00:31 -0400

This college has online courses. http://www.wgu.edu/#

My daughter is a tech writer with a science degree from University of Washington. My son is in IT and graduated from U of W in Tacoma. You may want to check to see if they have an online program. My daughter said that she thinks the University of Phoenix also has a good program.

Western Governors University

An online university that is accredited, affordable, and respected. WGU offers high quality online bachelors and master’s degree programs for busy adults. Find out if WGU is the best online university for you.

Response by Anita Nowocin made Jul 17 at 2016 2:07 AM

Anita Nowocin — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 02:07:58 -0400

http://www.phoenix.edu/colleges_divisions/technology.html

Online Information Technology Degrees - University of Phoenix

The College of Information Systems and Technology at University of Phoenix offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Learn online or on campus.