The Department of Defense’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program is a giant step ahead in military family support, as it keeps on providing resources and guidance of great value to military spouses all across the globe. This program is specifically aimed at helping spouses overcome special military life challenges when pursuing educational and career goals.
The program comprises the MySECO website, the Military OneSource SECO Career Center, the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. What some consider a virtual lifetime tool for a military spouse, MySECO affords one the opportunity to explore career options, get an education and training, and become connected to local employers. The Military OneSource SECO Career Center provides no-cost certified career coaches to support spouses with career exploration, education and training, employment readiness, and employment connections.
The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 for tuition toward a license, certification, or associate degree in portable career fields to eligible military spouses. This program connects military spouses with more than 700 partners dedicated to hiring and retaining military spouses in portable careers. “SECO ensures military spouses have all the opportunities and connections they need to find a career that fits their mobile military life,” said the program.
Meanwhile, the Career and Technical Education landscape in Texas is getting a refresh. Newly designed programs of study Year 2024-2025 are created in such a manner that they align with high-wage, high-demand, and high-skill professions as per the federal Perkins V law, which had been guiding principles up to the development point with the help of workforce, secondary education, and higher education practitioners. A strengthened program will feature coherent course sequences in which students may pursue advanced studies, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning.
In another praiseworthy development, Rollins College has attained the honor of being counted among the best military service members and veterans-friendly institutions. In the Abound national rankings, Rollins was in the state’s top five—one of the best in the country—boasting dedicated support staff, a significant military student body, and thorough support services. The college ensures other benefits, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program that only the program covers all tuition for qualifying veterans. Moreover, it gives additional scholarships and financial aid depending on the outcome of the FAFSA application that one completes.
Rollins College assists its veteran students by providing tutoring services and the Writing Center, critically needed the new STEM Hub, priority registration, and by assigning faculty advisors. The Center for Career & Life Planning helps veterans transition to civilian careers by providing them with job preparation and placement. Army veteran and Rollins alumnus Tamer Elkhouly credits the college with his successful transition into civilian life. “The liberal arts education I received, made possible by the post-9/11 GI Bill, provided a well-rounded foundation that facilitated my smooth transition into a rewarding career in the defense industry,” he reflects.
Such programs reflect a broader move toward empowering military families and veterans with the resources and support they need to succeed in both educational and job pursuits.