The Growing Job Market Trend
In this article we will look at what types of remote jobs for veterans are out there, and explore how you can access them. Lets first of all ask ourselves why this trend has increased?
We’ve all seen the significant growth and evolution, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study (1) showed that in 2019, 7% of paid workdays worked remotely, only for the number to increase significantly to 28% in September 2023.
This shift has been driven by various factors that have had a profound impact on the way we work, and we think it’s here to stay!
As the pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of remote work, transforming it from a peripheral concept to a dominant practice in professional life. Remote access technologies have become essential tools, enabling productivity and connectivity from afar. We believe this trend shows no signs of slowing down and continues to integrate new technologies and practices.
As a veteran, is a remote job right me?
For a veteran, remote jobs could be an absolute dream or nightmare! On the one hand, if you have been away for years, on operational tours of duty, and you have a family, this maybe the type of job you really want. It will mean you are working from home, you get to spend more time with family and friends, and you will not be travelling around.
On the other hand, if you crave social interaction and need to be around others, this might not be the best option. Everyone is different, and only you will know what will work.
Smoother transition
One major benefit of applying for a remote job for veterans is that it can offer a smoother transition from military to civilian life. It provides a flexible working environment where veterans can balance work with other aspects of post-service life, such as attending medical appointments, family commitments, or pursuing educational goals.
The adaptability of remote work schedules can be particularly advantageous for those adjusting to civilian life rhythms or managing service-related health issues.
Live in a Rural area? No problem
Veterans living in remote or rural areas, where job opportunities might be scarce or require extensive commuting, remote work opens up a world of possibilities.
It could allow you to access a broader range of employment opportunities without the need for relocation or long commutes. This is especially beneficial for those who wish to remain in the communities where you may have established support systems and social networks.
Remote work for veterans with mobility challenges
We believe in the importance of remote jobs for veterans, particularly for those of you with mobility issues or residing in remote areas, simply cannot be overstated.
Remote jobs for veterans offers a crucial pathway to reintegrate into the civilian workforce in a manner that accommodates your unique needs and circumstances.
For veterans with mobility challenges, remote work eliminates the physical barriers associated with traditional office environments, providing an accessible and comfortable workspace in your own home. This not only fosters a sense of independence but also ensures that you can work in an environment tailored to the physical requirements.
Types of remote jobs for veterans
As we have already discussed already, remote work for veterans is an entirely personal choice, but we want to give you the resources you need to explore further. Let’s go through some options together, and as always we recommend to take notes so that you can go away and research more post reading the article.
Project Management
The field of project management is growing, with a projected 6% growth from 2022 to 2032 (2). Remote project management opportunities are increasing across various sectors, including IT, construction, and business services.
We are aware that many companies are now offering remote jobs for veterans and hybrid project management roles, accommodating a more diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. Knowing this industry is only getting bigger bodes well for remote jobs for veterans.
We believe that project management jobs for veterans in general is often a good career move because of the transferable skills. These include; leadership, management, communication, discipline, time management, and decision making (obviously there are a lot more, which we cover off on our project management page).
Here’s a simple example; If veteran like you has led a team under challenging circumstances can apply these leadership skills to manage a project. All you need is the right qualifications and any civilian experience if possible.
Most veterans will not have a degree and so the place to start is obtaining some qualifications, so for entry level project management jobs, certifications like the Certified Associate in Project management (CAPM). This is offered by PMI an ideal way for you to start, and from there you could specialise into a specific sector such as Construction, Healthcare, Finance, and Consulting.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity not only offers a challenging and rewarding career path but also aligns well with your skill set and discipline acquired during military service. Let’s delve into why cybersecurity is an excellent choice for veterans, the qualifications required, and what salary expectations you might have.
Firstly, cybersecurity is a field that often values the skills you’ve gained in the military, for instance discipline, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to challenging situations. Given the dynamic and sometimes adversarial nature of cybersecurity, your experience in assessing threats and responding under pressure can be a tremendous asset. Furthermore, the rise in remote work has expanded the need for robust cybersecurity measures and this development in itself opens up opportunities for even more remote positions.
If you have experience within the military then you may have got some qualifications already, but if not then a good starting point is looking at the certifications that are needed and researching providers.
We also recommend that you please check to see if you have funding for the courses available, by checking with your local education support centre, or speaking to one of the organizations we feature here.
Cyber security Qualifications
Consider starting with fundamental certifications like CompTIA Security+, followed by more advanced ones such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). These certifications often require passing an exam and may have prerequisites, such as a certain amount of work experience.
Once you have the qualifications and / or experience then the remote roles for veterans in cybersecurity could range from a security analyst and consultant positions, to network security and incident response roles. The key is to find a role that matches your skills and interests, and this is where remote work in this field not only offers flexibility but also the chance to work for organizations that might be located far from your home, broadening your employment opportunities.
Cyber security salary expectations
In terms of salary expectations the base salary for a cyber security analyst, as an example is currently $56k to $120k (3), even incident managers have an estimated salary of $84,413. These numbers reflect the high demand and specialization required and with cybersecurity as a category is midtable in the IT salary guides at an average salary of $132,163 (4).
IT and Tech Support
Your military experience has likely equipped you with a unique set of skills (cue a Liam Neeson quote) that are highly valued in IT and tech support roles. Skills like problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure are crucial in these fields.
Additionally, if your experience in the military was working with complex systems and technology, then this could naturally give you a head start in understanding IT infrastructures.
Now there are some very interesting training programmes available to veterans that are free and the learning is flexible. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce all have great programmes for self learning which we will look into in more detail here. So, you could go onto one of their company specific learning routes, or you could start with an entry level foundation certificates such as CompTIA A+.
These sorts of certificates are designed to equip you with the basic understanding necessary for entry-level IT and tech support roles, which will enable you to start your new career.
Plenty of remote jobs suitable for veterans
There are too many roles and types of remote jobs for veterans fir us to list in this article, but a few include a remote help desk technician, or a remote network administrator. If you go through one of the big corporation programmes you can tick off the certifications that will enable you increase your understanding of their software.
If we take Salesforce as an example you could go from no experience to an architect in very little time considering. Of course its hard work and dedication, but its comforting to know the options are there for you.
Some of the sectors to consider are the obvious technology and software companies that we have mentioned above, but others such as healthcare, finance, and defence all have remote IT positions.
So for veterans considering entry-level positions in IT and tech support, salary expectations are an important factor of course. As of 2024, the average salary for an entry-level Technical Support Engineer is around $62,156 per year (5). This figure can vary based on factors such as location, specific role, and additional skills or certifications.
This salary range makes IT and tech support a viable and financially rewarding option to consider as you plan your transition into civilian jobs.
Transitioning into a remote job
So having read the article this far, you might be thinking that a remote job for veterans sounds pretty good! If so, that’s great – in this final section of this article – we will discuss some areas with you which you may not have thought about.
As a veteran you will probably have been involved for most of your career, in a close-knit community environment, and so a sudden change to the polar opposite could be very daunting.
However, we would recommend to plan ahead, and to mitigate this you should proactively seek out ways to have that human contact. This could be regular social interaction within your community, so you can build a local network outside of the working environment, or plan to go co-working spaces such as We Work.
Remote job workspace tips
Your workspace and set up can mean your home office could be in a bedroom, dining room, or a designated office space.
It is worth planning ahead, especially if you are moving out of military housing and looking for a home. If the place you are living in / going to live in does not have a designated quiet space, you may find that productivity may suffer.
Investing in the right equipment is also very important, you don’t want to sit on a dining room chair for 35+ hours a week, and so a comfortable chair, a desk at the right height, a computer monitor that reduces eyestrains can prevent physical discomfort.
Being aware of your own mental health and wellbeing is vital, we have covered some fantastic organizations that you can seek assistance with in another article and we encourage you to reach out to them, and speak to your family and friends.
We also recommend keeping a regular exercise routine in place, and perhaps throw in some meditation too, as this can really help with your mental health.
Conclusion
A final point:
It is important to remember that a lot of remote jobs for veterans are now also classed as “hybrid” which means they may require you to go into the office a set number of days per week or month, with the other time being spent working remotely. For those of you unsure whether a fully remote job is the best option for you, a hybrid role might be the balance you are looking for.
So to summarise;
We have looked at the advantages, disadvantage and some of the key considerations when deciding if a remote job for a veteran is for you. Personally, we believe that remote work or hybrid working is not going to go away, and is almost certain to be mentioned in a huge number of jobs for veterans you’ll see online.
Working remote or hybrid gives you a lot of flexibility for the main reason of zero commuting time, meaning that when you finish work for the day, you can spend time with your family, equating to a much better quality of life.
Of course, working in isolation can be be very daunting to think about, but with the right structure in place we are confident that you’ll succeed as a remote worker.
References
- The Evolution of Work from Home Jose Maria Barrero (et al).
- Project Management Specialists U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics
- Average Cyber Security Analyst Salary Payscales.com
- Your Guide To Tech Salaries and Certifications Global Knowledge
- Technical Support Engineer Payscales.com