Careers in science, engineering available to transitioning Airmen

  • Published
  • By Maj. Beth Kelley Horine
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - --  In today's struggling economy, job opportunities for separating and retiring military members may seem scarce. However, numerous programs exist for veterans interested in post-military careers in science, technology, engineering and math--or STEM.

The STEM initiatives either offer to train and educate transitioning Airmen, or directly hire veterans coming from technical career fields, and place them into needed federal jobs in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

At the Air Force Personnel Center, civilian jobs in science and engineering are available for skilled veterans. Historically, the Air Force hires 500 to 600 civilian scientists and engineers per year. The science and technology civil service career field is approximately 11,000, but is in need of trained and educated applicants, according to Saul Ortigoza, AFPC's Scientist and Engineer Career Program Administrator.

"This number is even bigger if you consider the civil engineering and the communications and information career fields as well," he added.

Numerous STEM programs exist to assist applicants in higher education leading toward careers in science, technology, engineering and math. If interested in a STEM career in Air Force civil service, visit www.afpc.randolph. af.mil and click on the USA Jobs link under the "AF Civilian Employment" tab.

One newly-created STEM program targets transitioning non-commissioned officers interested in post-military careers in science and technology. The NCO Enhanced Workforce in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or NEW -STEM, initiative offers funded education and federal job placement.

Part of a partnership between the Air Force and the Tennessee Valley Authority, NEW-STEM links NCOs (ranks E5 through E9) leaving military service with federal agency job openings in the North Alabama area.

"Government leaders have recently identified a shortage of scientists and engineers in the U.S., and with technically trained NCOs leaving military service, the NEW-STEM initiative hopes to capitalize on their training with further education and job advancement opportunities in federal civil service," said Joseph M. McDade, Jr., director of force development (A1).

"The Air Force A1 community, in the spirit of good stewardship, is serving as a liaison between Air Force transition offices and the TVC to promote the NEW-STEM program, as it benefits our enlisted folks transitioning out of the Air Force," Mr. McDade added.

Participating Department of Defense agencies include the Missile Defense Agency and the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center. MDA and AMRDEC have identified 10 positions to fill in the next three to four years requiring advanced education in scientific and technical areas.

"The NEW-STEM program leverages existing skill sets with federal agencies in need of scientists, engineers and mathematicians," said Lt. Col. Charles Arnold, deputy chief of the Air Force Learning Division and chief of the Air Force Voluntary Education Branch at the Pentagon.

"Overall, any STEM program--be it through the Air Force or other federal agencies--is a win-win situation for veterans trying to find jobs in today's challenging economy and for the governmental agencies in need of experienced, technical leaders," he added.

The NEW-STEM initiative will choose candidates based on pre-screening qualifications set by participating federal agencies, which includes a desire to pursue an engineering degree, acceptance to the University of Alabama in Huntsville, have eligible GI Bill benefits to use, and interviews with federal human resource representatives.

Once selected, candidates will attend a special orientation given by UA Huntsville, will take a math placement test and, while working on their degree, participate in a paid co-op program through the participating federal agency. Upon graduation, the participants will permanently fill the federal job opening for which they were hired.

For additional details about the NEW-STEM eligibility requirements, how to apply and the program benefits, visit www.tennvalleycorridor.org. Application deadline for NEW-STEM is April 2. For information about civilian STEM jobs with the Air Force, visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil or call the Total Force Contact Center at 1-800-525-0102.