Microsoft is attempting to support the men and women who have chosen to dedicate their time in the service of their country by offering its Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) to all who qualify. The MSSA is a training program intended to help the multitude of members of the U.S. armed service transition from a life of military dedication to high-tech civilian jobs.
For many, the idea behind MSSA targets a fundamental misgiving for men and women who serve in the name of their country, as joblessness and homelessness rank high on the list of factors that lead to depression among veterans. While not all military jobs are transferable to the ‘real-world’, the MSSA is looking to expand its scope of eligible participants who are eager to complete the 18-week course and has recently included two more military bases that have joined in support of the program.
Microsoft is expanding MSSA to more bases and further investing in the program to offer transitioning and former service members more opportunities around three career pathways:
- Server & Cloud Administration
- Database & Business Intelligence Administration
- Cloud Application Development
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Benning, Georgia, will become the newest MSSA sites with cohorts starting on Oct. 17. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both bases will welcome new students into the IT training program. Fort Bragg and Fort Benning join three bases where MSSA is already up and running, with six additional locations planning to join the program in the coming years.
Unlike other job assistance programs that merely train potential employees, the MSSA is guaranteeing interviews for full-time positions with Microsoft or a partnering company. This means that the information being learned can be directly applied to a job from the training company rather than a general understanding of knowledge that may or may not land a specific contract.
For those interested in the MSSA or know of someone who might be interested, the MSSA homepage is a great resource for stats that represent the early success graduates of the program are apt to witness. With a support network of over 130 companies hiring MSSA grads for salaries averaging $70,000, veterans worried about work outside of the military should now have some measure of confidence about transitioning into civilian life.
Further reading: Employment, Jobs, Microsoft, Military, MSSA, Philanthropy, Veterans
