4 Tips to Get the Most Out of MyCAA - MedCerts

Is Short-Term Online Career Training Right for You?

ATTN Military Spouses: For a limited time, the Department of Defense has expanded eligibility for My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) to the first 1,250 approved applicants in the ranks of E-6 and O-3. MedCerts is an approved school for the MyCAA scholarship.

Military spouses know the sacrifices they make every day. But in return, they enjoy opportunities and perks that others can’t — like a MyCAA scholarship to further your career.

MyCAA stands for My Career Advancement Account. The MyCAA scholarship program provides up to $4,000, in $2,000 increments per fiscal year, in financial assistance for pursuing licenses, certifications, and other training to begin or advance a career. 

To make the most of your MyCAA grant, search for portable careers with in-demand jobs that allow for mobility and flexibility, such as jobs in the healthcare industry. Consider using your MyCAA funding for online courses so you can learn from anywhere. Once you’ve signed up for a reputable program, keep a few tips in mind to make sure you make the most of this opportunity.

Military spouses know the sacrifices they make every day. But in return, they enjoy opportunities and perks that others can’t — like a MyCAA scholarship to further your career.

Find a School With Mentoring

Online programs make sense for military spouses because they are flexible and can help accommodate a variety of life changes. But if the school doesn’t offer individualized mentorship, it’s easy to feel lost — especially when you run into questions about course material, study planning, or even technical support.

MedCerts is rated the best among non-traditional military spouse-friendly schools. Not only do we offer a wide variety of MyCAA-approved courses, but we also assign mentors for every student to help them find success.

Prepare for Testing

The course won’t be useful if you don’t pass the certification exam at the end. This can be stressful, but preparation will help.

Find a school that offers practice tests. Your mentor should also be able to help you find testing locations and schedule exams so that you’ll be able to focus solely on mastering the material.

Be sure to create an extended study plan to review what you’ve learned during the weeks in training. Don’t stay up the night before the exam to cram the material. Instead, get a good night’s rest, plan out your transportation and eat a healthy meal come morning. Enter the exam feeling confident in what you know!

Gets Hands-On Experience

Classroom or online learning is helpful for understanding concepts, but for certain programs hands-on learning will prepare you for the clinical duties in your new career.

Find a school that provides connections for internships, apprenticeships, and volunteering opportunities. Sign up for these options before you earn your certification. With these programs, your resume will be that much stronger by the time you finish class.

Manage Your Studies

Be sure to apply yourself. Self-directed study is challenging, especially if you have a family to care for.

Discuss your goals with your spouse and your children. See if you can carve out time alone for your work every day. Some schools offer advisors who help you create a learning plan to best manage and schedule your study.

Make an Informed Decision

To take full advantage of MyCAA funding, you'll want to pick your school and courses carefully. MedCerts offers customized education plans based on your career goals. To learn more, check out MedCerts' MyCAA information today.

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Published on August 27, 2020