Does being an officer in the military help with getting a job?

Question

I m a 22 year old female who has just earned my B.A. in psychology last May. As you can guess, finding a good job in this field is very hard and the money is very tight in my family right now so grad school looks to be in the distant future.

My dad was in the Air Force and the idea of being in the military has intrigued me since I was very little. I have always wanted to join the Army, but now I am having thoughts of joining either the Navy or the Air Force.

My question essentially boils down to: If I join the military and qualify to be an officer, would that help me in terms of finding a job? What career could I go for in the military with my psychology degree? And would they help me pay for a hypothetical masters degree? Any help would be appreciated!! Thank you!

Answer 1

Probably no more than any other veteran applying for a job one you are out. some civilian careers will give a preference to people holding a degree.



you obviously have had a rude awakening after graduation haven't you? The problem with finding a job in the field isn't so much because of a lack of jobs... the problem is YOUR DEGREE!!! a Psychology degree (BA or BS...a BA is the worse of the two) is essentially as useless as one in criminal justice, political science, and MBA's... they are a dime a dozen. as you already know, to 'counsel' anyone, you are going to need a LEAST a Master's degree. I doubt you can even teach with an 'entry level psychology degree'. probably need a master's to tech at a community college. would need a PhD or PsyD to teach at university level.



"My dad was in the Air Force and the idea of being in the military has intrigued me since I was very little. I have always wanted to join the Army, but now I am having thoughts of joining either the Navy or the Air Force." I'm reasonably happy being an Army officer. but i am also a doctor in training (3rd year), a RN/BSN, former combat medic. so i've been training for this since i was 16 (i am only 21). Some will say life as an Air Force office is a little nicer, followed by the Navy, then the Army. but i think there is more opportunity for advancement in the Army since it is the largest - thus, more slots to fill. Being female helps (it shouldn't...but it does). so keep that in mind.



"My question essentially boils down to: If I join the military and qualify to be an officer, would that help me in terms of finding a job?" there is no way you'll get an officer's training slot in the Air Force. All they are interested in is STEM degrees with high GPA's. There is a reason for that. it helps narrow the applicant pool. plus the Air Force is very technical, so a degree in things like PE, Psychology, Political Science, Dance, Art, etc - just aren't going to cut it. You can sleep through half of the classes and still pass. Same is going to be true for the Navy. your degree will generate little excitement in Navy circles these days. The Army? REALLY IFFY. but IF there is going to be a commission in your future with JUST a BA in Psychology, it would be with the Army...but i wouldn't out all those eggs in one basket.



"What career could I go for in the military with my psychology degree?" Honestly. with JUST a psychology degree, you might as well just enlist and get the extra rank from the start. commissioning opportunities with just the degree you have are going to be slim and none i am afraid. The Air Force doesn't guarantee jobs. you could end up getting stuck washing bedpans all day. if you want a guarantee in a medical occupation, or maybe as a 'psych tech' - go Army.



"And would they help me pay for a hypothetical masters degree?". i am not sure you can use tuition assistance for grad school classes. i never took a grad school class in the Army. After i obtained by BSN and was commissioned, i was preparing for medical school (i never did serve as an Army nurse) and i received a scholarship for that.

Answer 2

Well, yes being a military officer makes it easy to find a job. There are headhunters out there actively looking to find ex-military officers to fill many job openings.



However, with a psychology degree you are very unlikely to get an officer appointment unless you continued your education and became a licensed psychologist. If that's something you are interested in, there are some educational scholarships available (although very competitive for the few openings).

Answer 3

you do NOT qualify with just a BA in Psychology. you must have at least a masters and be a LCSW or similar



they DO NOT pay for graduate degrees unless already commissioned( in other fields besides Medical)



your degree will NOT be competitive for a regular OTS slot. nor could you get a commission is any other branch unless you were looking at Aviation. you could enlsit as en E3 and earn the GI Bill which would pay for the graduate degree later



just being an officer means nothing. you still have to demonstrate the necessary skills and background in order to get a civilian job later. all military service does is give you veteran's preference on government job applications.

Answer 4

Yes it would first you would have a security clearance- some employers would look for that. Next as an officer you will more than likely be leading people- so that is management experience. Then finally you might get assigned a job that transfers directly to a civilian one.

Answer 5

With just a bachelor's in it, nothing. If you had a master's you could apply for a direct commission. As it is the Air Force would take you as an E-3, doing nothing related to that field.



Well, you could apply for a scholarship from the AF where they would pay for your masters then you'd have a service commitment afterwards. Those are incredibly competitive to get though.....

Answer 6

It might as it generally gives some sort of management training and experience. However, as Leo Black mentioned, you missed the bus as you didn't take ROTC. OCS and AF OTS chances are pretty slim..

Answer 7

It's kind of a moot point. You missed the ROTC bus and OCS is running a skeleton show and they do not bite for psych degrees.



They say Navy pilots don't care but ehhh.

Answer 8

Nora, inquire into the Marine Corps OCS. Contract your local Marine Corps Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for details. Good luck...................

Answer 9

The only shot you have is Naval Aviation if you are otherwise qualified.



I got in with a BS in Psych and it's still that way.

Answer 10

No. Army cops aren't that smart.

Answer 11

Yes it does. Provided you actually get in OCS (12%).

Answer 12

I agree with patton

Answer 13

Not if you aren't any good at it.

Answer 14

No