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Make a Career Transition Military to Teaching – Steps and Tips to Follow

how to transition from the military to a teaching job

Do you wish to transition from the military to teach? Land a job with these tips and steps to make the military career change easier.

If you want to make a career transition, embrace career transformation goals to get it done. If you currently have a position and would like to test the waters in education. Go ahead and test a second career option without jeopardizing your job.

There is a strong record of military members obtaining teaching positions in the education sector. School districts often find former military personnel to be an excellent asset in the classroom and help build leadership skills among students.

The retention rates among students are also much higher with teachers who have been part of the military than teachers who finished a college degree and recently graduated. So as a former military member, how do you go about transitioning into a career in teaching?

Former military members with a Bachelor’s degree or other higher degrees are eligible to obtain a teaching certification that will provide them with the necessary qualifications to teach academic subjects.

Most military members can qualify for a vocational or technical teaching position since they only need an equivalent of one year of college and at least six years of vocational or technical experience for the certification process to begin. And to complete the certification process, military members who want to be teachers can use the ACP (Alternative Certification Program) through the University Teacher Preparation Program or UTPP.

Program to Transition from the Military to Teaching

The Military Career Transition Program is one of the alternative certification programs that can help pave the way to a fulfilling and gratifying teaching career. However, several factors can affect your career transition’s success, and these include the school collaborative and placement efforts, effective mentoring and counseling, continuous program assessment, and career follow-up.

Military members interested in pursuing a teaching career after spending several years in the force only need to meet the school’s basic educational requirements or college where he or she is planning to obtain employment.

The number and level of courses that make up the training program for the teacher’s certification may vary depending on the applicant’s work experience and educational background.

Check Requirements to Change Careers from the Military to Teaching

So if you plan to transition into teaching after a military career, you must first check on your state’s primary requirements. More often than not, teacher certification is done by the state, although some states must recognize certifications issued by another state.

Teaching positions for military members are available from the elementary level up to high school, depending on the applicant’s preference and the type of certification they have completed.

After finalizing the certification process, the job search will be easier with the right qualifications and requirements in your hand.

 Aside from your teaching qualifications, include all your transferable skills in your resume. Effectively communicating transferable skills in your resume and interview will play a significant role in enhancing your employability.

Avoid making your resume sound like a military file. Include the title of the job you wish to secure and a strong resume profile tailored towards the position you wish to seek. List your educational background along with your work history. Using civilian and education terminology in your job search documents will help guarantee a position for you in the education sector.

Don’t procrastinate on making a career change from the military to teaching. 

You’ll be happy you got started to make the career transition you want.

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