Military Pathway to IT and Computing Careers

 
 

Are any of these true for you?

Are you somebody who...

  • Wants to serve your country?
  • Is looking for on-the-job training?
  • Is interested in learning and creating technologies that can make your country safer?
  • Wants to pursue further education or needs financial help to go to college?
You might want to join the military and apply for an information technology (IT) assignment.
  
 


Positive Outlook Continues for Military Jobs

Job opportunities through 2020 should be strong in all branches of the Armed Forces.* Technology is integral to the functioning of our modern military, and the number and kind of technical assignments will continue to grow.


Military IT Assignments Lead to Quality Civilian Jobs

Information technology specialists in the military learn to develop software and design and maintain computer systems that support our national security. These assignments can lead to jobs right out of service or make you ready for college degree programs that result in good jobs.


Technical Jobs Are Growing

Civilian technology jobs are among the fastest growing jobs in the U.S.; they are expected to increase by 22% between 2010-2020. Jobs in the tech sector are stable, rewarding, and flexible.



*U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Projections 2010-2020.

If during service you have these assignments... You may get jobs such as... For which projected growth from 2010-2020 is... And the 2012 average salary was...
Annually Hourly
Network Systems which allow computers to connect
 Network Technician 18% $46,260 $22.24
Network Administrator 28% $69,160 $33.25
Information Support Services which aid users as they do their work
 Help Desk Specialist 18% $46,260 $22.24
Technical Writer 17% $63,280 $30.42
Database Administrator 31% $73,490 $35.33
Computer Systems involving programming and software development
 Software Developer 30% $90,530 $43.52
Computer Security Specialist 22% $75,660 $36.37
Web and Digital Communication that makes information available
 Multimedia Artist or Animator 8% $58,510 $28.13
Multimedia Producer 8% $58,510 $$28.13
Web Developer 22% $75,660 $36.37


Get started now!

  1. Take math, IT, and computer science classes.
  2. Look for extracurricular computing or technology activities.
  3. Graduate from high school.
  4. Meet enlistment requirements: http://www.todaysmilitary.com
  5. Learn about IT assignments in different branches of the military through the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program: http://www.asvabprogram.com
  6. Ask the recruiter for the branch you choose to assess your chances of being accepted for training in IT occupations and take the ASVAB aptitude exam to see how well you score.
  7. Specify an IT assignment in your military contract.


Sources:
This Counselors for Computing (C4C) resource was produced by the NCWIT K-12 Alliance with support from the Merck Company Foundation and Google.