Top 5 Jobs in America
Best Jobs in the US
As a nation, as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and face an uncertain but optimistically bright outlook. It is essential to remember the opportunities that await us as we move towards the future. For service members and veterans, this outlook is paramount, considering the obstacles they face when transitioning into civilian life. This article explores the top 5 jobs in America as outlined by USNews.com and what you can do to be prepared to enter that career field.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Physician assistants investigate illnesses, develop, and carry out treatment plans, assist in surgeries, perform procedures, and mentor patients. Their work is very similar or mirrors that of a general internist or doctor, but PAs must coordinate with a licensed physician or surgeon to work in most states.
The military branches have PA programs that allow service members to become Physician Assistants; however, the process and selection criteria are rigorous. There are a series of requirements potential candidates must meet to be selected for PA school. Contact your local military medical branch for more information.
RELATED: Reasons For Veterans To Become a Physician Assistant
>> Get started on getting your degree to be a Physician Assistant at these GI Bill-approved schools. Get started today!
Software Developer
Software developers create the technologies we often take for granted. For instance, that application that sings, rings, or vibrates you out of a deep slumber every morning, even on Mondays? A software developer helped create that app. And when you cruise into the office and switch on your computer, clicking and scrolling through social media, music, and your calendar – software developers had a big hand in shaping those, too.
The branches that are best set up to transition into this field is the Air Force and the Navy, due to the technology their unique mission sets require them to use every day. The Army and Marines lack this area; however, the opportunities are still there for both soldiers and Marines to get into the field.
Civilian level certifications are available to members of each branch’s signal corps, and those certifications are critical in the software career field. As cyberspace warfare continues to develop, more and more opportunities will arise for service members.
RELATED: Getting a Degree in Computer Science
>> Get started on a degree in Computer Science at these GI Bill-approved schools. Get started today!
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are defined as registered nurses who have obtained additional education or certifications. Extra education allows these professionals to take patient histories, perform physical exams, order labs, analyze lab results, prescribe medicines, authorize treatments, and educate patients and families on continued care. Each branch has a medical Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which allows its members to serve as nurses and then transfer those certifications into a civilian career. As stated earlier, the process is rigorous, and the selection criteria are higher. Still, once a candidate makes it through the program, they can be rewarded with a fulfilling and promising career in both the military and civilian worlds.
RELATED: Nursing Careers for Veterans and Military Spouses
>> Get started on a career in Nursing with a degree at these GI Bill-approved schools. Get started today!
Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers serve as the directors, planners and coordinators who operate behind the scenes to help keep hospitals, local nursing homes, group practices, and other health care facilities running efficiently and effectively. In short, they are super-organized and precise professionals.
Medical and health services managers are often very detail-oriented personnel with extremely good analytical skillsets. Since much of their time is spent in conjunction with doctors, health insurance representatives, and other administrators, they need to have good interpersonal and communication skills.
Problem-solving is another part of the job. Technical skills are also a must because they must keep up to date with software and electronic health records. Again, the best MOSs to have to enter this career are administrative or medical specialties.
RELATED: Health Information Management Careers for Military, Veterans & Spouses
>> Get started on a career as a Medical and Health Services Manager with a degree or certificate at these GI Bill-approved schools. Get started today!
Physicians
They’re the personnel we call when the contractions come every five minutes in the middle of the night. We run to them for broken arms, and we make appointments when we find irregular freckles. We go to them with various coughs, colds, and aches. They are obstetricians and gynecologists, ER doctors, dermatologists, primary care providers, neurologists, and cardiologists.
Becoming a Physician in the military is rigorous and usually takes the candidate to complete the process on the civilian side before enlisting in the military; however, if the desire and drive are there, then rewards will be endless for this career.
RELATED: Online Degrees in Health Services Administration for Military & Veterans
>> Get started on a career as a Medical and Health Services Manager with a degree or certificate at these GI Bill-approved schools. Get started today!
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About the author
Lori Waddell serves as Co-director of an emergency response COAD in Montana, a freelance writer, and an Air Force Key Spouse. She is passionate about empowering communities and individuals through knowledge and resources. She currently lives in Montana with her husband and two children.