Many people reach a point in their career where they feel stagnant, even people employed by the armed forces. When this happens, it’s important to take control of the situation by utilizing the resources available to you. Here are some things you can do to give your military career a boost when you’re in a slump.
Online College
If you want to get ahead, you can benefit from obtaining an advanced degree in your field. As a member of the military, you may even qualify for free classes. However, going back to school may not appeal to you if you have a full-time job and personal obligations to tend to. When will you find the time?
Online colleges for military personnel allow you to take classes on your time. You can also take a whole class load or take just one or two classes at a time. College advisors can offer you guidance on managing your schedule and choosing the most necessary or useful classes.
Get Involved in the Community
As a member of the armed forces, you serve your Country. Connect to the people you serve by supporting work-related community efforts.
Your superior will appreciate your effort and keep you in mind when a promotion becomes available. You’ll also feel good about doing something good for the people in your area, increasing the bond between soldiers and civilians.
Learn a New Language
Some people join the military for the adventure of traveling the world and seeing exotic locations. However, you don’t necessarily get to pick where you will be deployed, especially without standout qualifications. Learning a second or third language boost you at the top of the list when the military needs someone with that particular language skill.
You can learn a new language on your own, but professional training can make your language skills more desirable than another candidate. Some of the most useful languages include Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, and French.
Cross Train
Once you know every aspect of your job backward and forward, don’t stop learning. Instead, boost your career by looking for new tasks to learn in departments you work closely with.
Tell your superiors that you are interested in learning new things around the workplace to learn where you can be the most helpful. As you continue to expand your experience, they will know that they can depend on you when they need help in that department, making you doubly valuable.
You don’t need to stay complacent in your current position with the military. With hard work and determination, you can advance your career and yourself.
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