As military members transition back to civilian life there are many new paths available to them. This can be overwhelming as they try to decide the best course of action. Approximately 250,000 active personnel leave the military yearly and deal with developing a formal resume, learning how to interview and adjusting to civilian workforce vernacular.
Veterans can use additional schooling to help add structure to their transition. Two advanced degree options for a career in project management are Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and Masters in Engineering Management (MEM).

MBA

The MBA has a completion time of two to three years and ranges in subjects from economics, marketing, accounting and finance. It also specializes in courses on human resources, corporate strategy and international business. Students in the program will develop communication and innovation skills and strategic thinking. An MBA program focuses more on the finances of business than innovative skills.

An MBA program may require a GMAT/GRE score but students from any undergraduate program can be accepted. These programs also look for applicants that have two to five years of work experience. Candidates also need to demonstrate their leadership experience in work or extracurricular groups.

After completing the program, students can work in marketing, banking, economics or business products and services. An MBA degree is often preferred by non-technical companies. MBA graduates typically live in Northeastern states or on the West coast in cities like New York or San Francisco. After 10 years of work, graduates average salary was just over $98,000 a year. Potential job titles for degree holders are finance or HR director, marketing research analyst, PR specialist and executive recruiter.

MEM

The MEM program has a completion time of two years with subjects in engineering statistics, project management, leadership and law with electives in various engineering management topics. Students in a MEM program develop problem-solving, communication, presentation, leadership and organization skills. This coursework prepares students for technology leadership as well as tie together skills for project management, design and development.

Candidates looking at a MEM program should have an undergraduate degree that focuses on science or engineering. There are no experience level requirements and it appeals to students looking to move into management or mid-career professionals.

MEM graduates can find jobs in industrial, high-technology, research and development management and even technology entrepreneurship. The best job outlooks for graduates are in the biomedical and environmental engineering fields because they are expected to grow rapidly in the next couple of years. After completing 10 years in the industry, graduates average salary was more than $100,000 a year. Potential job titles are chief of engineering, lean six sigma manager and engineering logistics manager.

An MBA is often the first thought of an employee looking to get a better paying position. The MEM program is often overlooked but is a suitable choice to advance a career for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering. A MEM offers similar skills that are acquired from an MBA but it also hones industry-specific skills that engineers can utilize to climb the corporate ladder.