Military Careers

If you're undecided about an undergraduate career, you may want to think about joining the military. Deciding to join the military is a huge decision. Serving the country is an admirable and honorable thing to do, but it’s not the ideal career for everyone. Some people are killed while serving their country. Military personnel are away from their friends and family for extended periods of time – often weeks or months. Military careers require physical work and self-discipline; but those who choose the military help maintain peace and protect our freedoms. On top of that, the military will often pay much of the cost of earning an undergraduate degree.

Military careers can be found in the five areas of military service: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force. Training is provided for those serving their country. Those interested in working with numbers and money can find work in the accounting and financing fields. Military personnel learn accounting principles, prepare financial reports, compute pay and deductions and perform statistical analyses. These skills prepare personnel for careers as a finance and accounting specialist or fiscal chief.

Military careers also can be found in the areas of arts, communications, media and design. Personnel in these fields are responsible for the military’s media. These fields include military musicians, photographers, writers and computer professionals. Training in news writing, special effects, publishing, graphics, photography and music theory is provided for personnel; these skills provide preparation for military careers as a musician, graphic designer, public affairs specialist, broadcast technician or journalist.

Those following military careers in the construction and building fields help complete hundreds of construction projects annually. Military personnel in this field use power tools and heavy equipment to erect buildings for roads, dams and airfields. They also create blueprints, spread concrete and install plumbing and wiring. Personnel receive training in construction, masonry, surveying, soldering and electricity; possible military careers include building electrician, construction specialist and plumber.

Military careers in the healthcare field focus on providing medical attention to injured or sick military personnel. Healthcare practitioners also fit patients with artificial limbs and glasses. Some serve as dentists, cleaning teeth and making braces and dentures. Training in the healthcare field includes emergency medical techniques, vision testing, rehabilitation and dental hygiene. Military careers in the healthcare field require a lot of compassion and patience.