13 Hacks To Careers in Tech For Military Veterans

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Looking from your drab, windowless, government office using some terrible military software program on your crappy government computer….it’s hard not to fantasize (at least a bit) about going to work at a big tech company. The good news is that there are absolutely avenues to pursue a tech career for military veterans.

Presumably, you smile like this all the time working in tech.

And the good news is that you don’t need to be a hacker or computer whiz to do so. You’re in luck, n00b.

While tech companies definitely have career options for military veterans interested in working with programming, they also have everything else. From operations, logistics, business development, and administartive functions — they need people with a variety of skill sets to work in all aspects of their business.

Below you’ll find some company-specific programs just for veterans, as well as some broader programs for veterans looking at a career in tech.

Big tech career programs for military veterans

1. Amazon

Amazon loves veterans. They have a host of career options for military veterans.

You know the “cloud” that everyone talks about and seemingly runs modern society? Yea, well, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the largest cloud service out there–running businesses and governments alike. And Amazon has ways to help you get certified on AWS.

LOTS of companies want people certified at working in AWS-including the government. And according to IT Career Finder, the average starting salary for a AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate (entry-level), is $117,773.

They also have the Amazon Military Apprenticeship program. This not only gets you certified at working in these structures but even guarantees you a job on the backend. That’s a value that’s hard to beat.

If you want to go a bit deeper into career options for military veterans at Amazon, check out this full post I did here.

2. Microsoft

What’s good to know for both Amazon and Microsoft is that you may be able to use your military experience working with them in your career after the military.

Amazon has a $10 billion cloud-computing contract with the DoD and as we all know, the government loves itself some Windows. So they need contractors to help run their IT systems.

Microsoft knows this and has a program set up just for veterans.

Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA) provides transitioning service members and veterans, including those with clearance, with critical career skills required for today’s growing technology industry.

You can find out more about this program here.

3. Google

Google has a lot of different support in how they help military veterans search for their next career. Everything from resume help, to searching for related jobs using your MOS, to scholarships for professional conferences — Google has a lot of ways they can help you in your career search.

Check out this article I wrote to learn more about what Google is doing:

10 Ways Google Is Helping Veterans.

4. Facebook

Although Facebook doesn’t necessarily have any direct programs to train veterans, they have a robust veteran community and information page about working at Facebook as a veteran.

5. Cisco

Although not as sexy as one of the FAANG companies, Cisco is a tech monster. They have annual revenue of over $50 billion. And their networking equipment is basically THE standard. This means that certifications from Cisco can be used all over the place.

So what career support do they offer military veterans?

Talent Bridge for Veterans

Talent Bridge for Veterans is a free job-matching platform connecting veterans with Cisco’s channel partner ecosystem. A military skills translation tool helps employers find qualified candidates. Open to veterans, military spouses, transitioning service members, reservists, and National Guard members who meet specific education or work experience criteria.

Cisco Networking Academy

Cisco Networking Academy has trained over 10 million students globally. This award-winning IT skills training program helps individuals gain real-world skills for today’s digital economy. Coursework includes networking, IoT, programming, and cybersecurity. Serving over 300,000 veterans and 90,000 personnel across more than 30 military installations since 1998.

Veteran Talent Incubation Program (VTIP)

This 20-week, self-study program offers veterans and military spouses access to free CCNA training and certification along with the opportunity to get hired into dedicated network engineering roles at Cisco. Over 100 VTIP students were hired by Cisco in the first two years of the program with a 95% success rate.

CyberVetsUSA

Cisco is leading a tech industry consortium that provides free cybersecurity training, certification, and employment services to veterans and military spouses. Other partners include Amazon Web Services, Palo Alto Networks, ISC2, Fortinet, NetApp, and NDG.

To learn more about how Cisco can help your post-military career, visit their information page here.

Education

6. VET TEC

The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) is a program offered through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. It’s very similar to using your GI Bill benefits in that the VA can pay for your education and you can receive BAH during the program.

What type of training can you receive?

Computer software
Computer programming
Data processing
Information science
Media applications

Note: Unlike the GI Bill, the VET TEC program is not YOURS, per se. It’s all based on availability. To find out more, check out their site here.

7. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

Although the GI Bill is seriously awesome, it doesn’t always cover everything. Even with that and the Yellow Ribbon Program, you may still find yourself owing money for your education.

If you are pursuing an education in one of the fields, you may be eligible for this scholarship, at up to $30,000

Agriculture science or natural resources science
Biological or biomedical science
Computer and information science and support services
Engineering, engineering technologies, or an engineering-related field
Health care or a health-care-related field
Mathematics or statistics
Medical residency (undergraduate only)
Physical science
Science technologies or technicians

Find out more here.

Non-profits to start careers for military veterans in tech

8. Apprenti

What is Apprenti? They are a nonprofit that seeks to help bring diverse talent to the tech industry, including from underrepresented groups like…..you guessed it, veterans.

At Apprenti, we have been leading the way in creating a new paradigm for what it means to have and create careers in technology. Paving the path for equitable access and representation in the fields of technology is at the core of our DNA. We have a proven model leveraging national apprenticeship as a clear pathway to certified and qualified talent in technology roles. We believe that utilizing this time-tested model is a better formula to reaching and engaging a broader pool of smart minds and dedicated talent.

They work with tech partners all across the industry to create one-year paid apprenticeshipsto help you get started in a career in tech.

Absolutely worth checking out.

9. NPower

This is another non-profit that seeks to bring veterans and other underrepresented groups into the tech industry. They help you get the needed training and then work with you to land your first job in tech.

Learn more about their application process here.

10. Code Platoon

Code Platoon offers a number of ways to train veterans on full-stack development. What is full-stack you ask? Don’t worry- I just had to look it up myself.

There are front-end developers who provide the user experience associated with a website, app, or piece of software. Then there are back-end developers who make all the functions work in the background and ensure that the whole thing runs smoothly. Or you can be a full-stack developer and be able to do both as a generalist.

Code Platoon’s flagship offering is a 14-week in-person course in Chicago. Code Platoon programs can also be covered by the GI bill, making this program very enticing for veterans. If you have no experience in coding, you can start with their Intro to Coding course which is totally free.

11. Operation Code

Operation Code is more of a community than a direct program, but there you can find people and resources to help you get started in your tech career.

You can connect with mentors, find out about tech-related scholarships, and learn more about different certifications from other veterans and people who want to help veterans.

Learn more about what you can do with them here.

12. VetsinTech

Similar to Operation Code, VetsinTech is a good starting point to connect with other veterans in the tech industry and learn about career options for military veterans in tech.

VetsinTech supports our current and returning veterans with re-integration services, and by connecting them to the national technology ecosystem. VIT is committed to bringing together a tech-specific network, resources, and programs for our veterans interested in Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employment — the 3E’s!

VetsinTech

13. Chart your own path

One of my favorite interviews on The Veteran (Semi) Professional was with Deven Ravel. He’s a former Marine who is working in tech without any type of technical background. And he’s crushing it. He charted his own path and did what vets can do really well- work hard.

Even if you were just a ground-pounder, you can find yourself working in tech. Don’t let the fact that you don’t know coding hold you back.

Go crush it.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

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