What is MyCAA?
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account is a program developed by the Department of Defense to provide funding and scholarship assistance. It was created to help the married partners of military service members complete training and certification programs to find employment in portable careers.
Military families expect to be relocated frequently. However, it’s much easier for spouses to maintain continuous employment if they are certified in common occupations in high-demand sectors.
The financial contribution to military spouses is significant for many families. A second income can greatly improve their standard of living and give spouses the satisfaction of having careers where they can grow and advance.
So, how do you apply for a MyCAA scholarship? How do you find the right MyCAA school for you? Here are four things to consider when looking for the right MyCAA-approved program to achieve your goals.
1. Focus on Jobs in High-Demand Fields
It is predicted that, over the next decade, there will be 2.5 million job openings in the healthcare field. The growth of the healthcare industry will provide countless opportunities for entry into highly portable careers.
It can be difficult to maintain continuous employment and continue to grow professionally when faced with frequent relocations. Having a certification in the healthcare field will ensure that your expertise will be needed no matter where you live.
2. Determine Your Strengths and Interests
What jobs have you held in the past? List what experience you have had in your previous employment, and write down any skills you took away from those jobs. Then ask yourself what you are interested in learning. If you aren’t sure what your strengths are and how they would match up to a particular career, this online quiz can help!
3. Assess Your Availability
Perhaps you prefer to learn in a classroom environment, but you don’t have the time to attend classes. An online course may be the best program for you.
Many online certification and degree programs are self-paced and can be completed at any time. This means that if you have a full-time job already, or if you are a parent caring for small children, you can complete the program at your own pace, and in the comfort of your own home.
4. Find the Support You Need
There are many resources available to help you apply for the MyCAA grant and determine your career plan. Military OneSource Career and Education Consultants can walk you through the process of applying for MyCAA funding.
Once you have chosen the MyCAA school with the best program for you, their academic advisors will support you in choosing your classes and completing your program of study. The best schools will provide one-on-one assistance every step of the way from course planning to job placement.
MedCerts is the only MyCAA-approved program to be ranked #1 two years in a row as a Military Spouse Friendly School. We have over 30 online career training programs in healthcare and IT with a competitive exam pass rate. MedCerts provides online self-paced classes to fit your schedule and a personal Student Support Advisor to give you ongoing assistance.
Get started by checking out our most popular programs. You could be well on your way to a new career in just weeks!
