MSCCN Career Track

Career Track

Education-Related Information
MSCCN has a special "insider connection" in higher education!
MSCCN is pleased to welcome Cachet Prescott, Air Force Spouse and Former Army "Brat" as our Education Liaison Volunteer. Cachet currently works as the Campus Center Director, Park University, at the Vandenberg AFB Campus Center. Send an e-mail with "Education" as the subject to askus@msccn.org to ask her a question. Interested in becoming an adjunct faculty member at a local college or university? Please read this highly informative article by Cachet!

In-State Tuition
DANTES has posted information about the new law granting in-state tuition to active-duty military families. Please review their information and continue to follow-up with more education news at their website linked here.

Post 9/11 GI Bill and Transferability (to military spouses)
Now is the time to start learning about the new Post 9/11 GI Bill and option to transfer education benefits for up to 36 months to family members. MSCCN recommends that applicants start with the Post 9/11 GI Bill here and information about the transferability here.

Career Advancement Account (CAA)

The Department of Defense's expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program offers up to $6,000 to military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to careers in high growth, high demand portable career fields.

MyCAA temporary halting was recently lifted for those already enrolled. Military OneSource has posted information about the Career Advancement Account. Please review the information online about MyCAA changes Military OneSource.

You can also stay up-to-date on the changes in MyCAA by visiting the program's homepage at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/.

Military Spouse Scholarships and More

NMFA's Military Spouse Education Resource Guide

Don't miss out on scholarship opportunities mentioned in the Guide and be sure to check the NMFA page about In-State Tuition -- here

Interested in personal finance? Check out the fellowship information on the National Military Family Association website.

And don't miss these opportunities from Central Texas College:

Central Texas College (CTC) scholarships for military spouses at
http://www.ctcd.edu/militaryspouses/scholarshiplistapr07_spouses.pdf

and for spouses of Purple Heart recipients at
http://www.ctcd.edu/militaryspouses/wounded_warrior_spouse_scholarship_checklist-application.pdf

Military OneSource has a list of alternative resources for education financial aid. See Alternative Education Funding Resources

The Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, an initiative created by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the federal government matches, dollar for dollar, any financial aid that participating schools provide for eligible student veterans.

More information can be found on this VA website:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Yellow_ribbon.htm

Other Important Initiatives for Military Spouse Careers

Executive Order Eases Federal Employment for Military Spouses

National Military Family Association (NMFA) recently posted an exciting announcement for military spouses and federal employment. You can read the official American Forces Press Service article, Executive Order Eases Federal Employment for Military Spouses here.

UPDATED!! The finalized Rules in the Federal Register for the new non-competitive appointments can be viewed here. The Navy Times posted an article about it that we recommend reading here.

Where the Jobs Are

Where the Jobs Are is a website by the Partnership for Public Service that lists "employment opportunities that will be available in the federal government from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2012." Please review the Partnership for Public Service website and then browse through the Where the Jobs Are website to learn more about job opportunities in the federal government.

Resumix To Be Replaced, But Not Yet

DoD halted the implementation of the new Enterprise Staffing Solution (ESS) that will eventually replace the Resumix system. Due to the Executive Order, many military spouses will be interested in federal employment will still need to submit through Resumix for a while. When ESS implementation does begin, then everyone will have to learn how to use ESS, but right now, Resumix is used.

MSCCN urges applicants for positions requiring Resumix to inquire about Resumix training offered through their local military installation. Each Service branch has different requirements for the Resumix format and attached information. Please pay strict attention to using the correct keywords and following all instructions provided.

Military Spouse Residency Relief (MSRRA)

H.R. 6070 from the 100th Congress was re-introduced by Representative John Carter (R-TX) on February 25, 2009 as H.R. 1182 of the 111th Congress (S. 475 for the Senate version) to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency, and for other purposes.

The MSRRA was passed as Public Law 111-97. Click here for an explanation of the new law.

Help for Applicants

Tell Employer You Are a Military Spouse - Yes or No?

Many military spouses fear mentioning they are a military spouse during an interview. The subject normally should not come up because it has nothing to do with the qualifications for most jobs.

Some spouses are so proud of being a military spouse, they want to tell the world. Others fear that employers won't consider them due to their frequent relocations, even though the job turnover rate for the general population is about the same as for military spouses.

Karen Jowers, a military spouse who writes for The Air Force Times, recently tackled the question about revealing or concealing that you are a military spouse to a prospective employer. Read it online here.

Employers who sponsor MSCCN and provide jobs for our Gateway WANT military spouses and need to be told that you found their position advertised through MSCCN. Please remember to mention MSCCN as your reference!

Army Wife Talk Radio

Dearest MSCCN Applicant and Employment Partner,

It is with great honor that we welcome Army Wife Talk Radio & Field Problems™ into the MSCCN network of trusted organizations who walk-the-walk of military spouse support.

"Tara E Crooks, Founder and President of Army Wife Talk Radio runs a pristine operation," says Deb Kloeppel, President of MSCCN."The MSCCN performs due diligence regarding the type of businesses we partner with and display on our website. Tara's organization is a fine organization that follows all business rules. We are very pleased that Tara's Army Wife Talk Radio has entered into partnership with MSCCN."

Tune in to the LIVE weekly shows at http://www.armywifetalkradio.com/ or listen to their latest show now by utilizing the player below.

MSCCN was featured on the February 23, 2009 talk radio show (#202). Amy Rossi and Kate Midden discussed a variety of military spouse and career topics as well informing listeners about MSCCN services.

Please also visit the Army Wife Talk Radio blog to see some great advice from MSCCN about tackling some military spouse employment issues.

Military spouses, are you aware that the DoD has programs available to help you find and pay for child care in your neighborhood?
The Department of Defense and the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies are working together to give military families access to high-quality, affordable child care in their communities. Two programs were created to supplement the high-quality child care currently offered on military installations. Click Here to Learn More
Don't forget to visit a nearby military family center for personalized assistance!
Talk to us!! E-mail comments, suggestions or updates to Ask Us.

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