Zaida Jimenez, U.S. Army Veteran
Attaining an industry certification provides additional career flexibility, making it a valuable resource for all Service members, particularly members of the National Guard. As the Federal Tuition Assistance Program Manager for the National Guard Bureau, Zaida Jimenez works to convey the accessibility and importance of certifications to all National Guard Soldiers, regardless of their educational background.
What is your professional background?
I served for almost seven years as active duty in the U.S. Army. I was a 15P, Aviation Operations Specialist. I separated as a staff sergeant in 2012 and worked as an education services specialist at the Puerto Rico Army National Guard until I was hired as the Federal Tuition Assistance Program Manager for the National Guard Bureau in September 2019. In a typical day, I develop reports to support the Tuition Assistance Program’s needs and promote the program’s growth on ArmyIgnitED. As the subject matter expert for the Army’s Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance Programs at the National Guard Bureau level, I also answer questions from the field regarding policy regulations and processes in different systems.
What do you do when a Soldier expresses interest in certification but is unsure of where to start?
Initially I guide them the Army COOL website to research the credential they’re interested in. There are over 1,600 credentials listed that are funded with Army Credentialing Assistance (CA). One of my other favorite tools is O*Net Online, where Soldiers can research industries and search for careers by future outlook, location, or MOS transferability.
After they know the credential that they would like to earn, we counsel them on the process to request CA through the ArmyIgnitED website. I’ve noticed that Soldiers who are more informed about their military education benefits are less likely to have education-related debt and more likely to have success getting hired in their desired occupations.
What should Soldiers be prepared for as their testing day approaches?
Soldiers should be asking questions about their preferred method of learning; availability to take the exam online or in a test center; and the cost and credibility of the different certification organizations. There are so many vendors that want to take care of the Soldiers because they have a secure paycheck or CA funding. Soldiers should ask their peers who have successfully passed certification exams what materials they used to prepare and what they think of the process.
Credentialing allows Soldiers to be prepared in their military careers as well as their civilian careers after they retire. When you have a credential, you are the subject matter expert.
—Zaida Jimenez
Why should Soldiers utilize their Army CA Program benefits?
The Army CA program provides Soldiers who do not want to go to college a path to have successful careers. More and more industries are focusing on credentials because they prove you have insight in that specific topic or occupation. Credentialing allows Soldiers to be prepared in their military careers as well as their civilian careers after they retire. When you have a credential, you are the subject matter expert, and that is what is most requested these days.
What makes National Guardsmen particularly good candidates for credentials?
Guardsmen have two jobs: their military occupation and a civilian occupation. This provides them with a wider variety of experiences, knowledge, skills, and abilities that can help them obtain the prerequisites for a credential, complete the training course, and pass the exam faster than an active duty Soldier.
Have you heard from any Soldiers who have mentioned the importance that certifications have had on their careers?
I received an email from a Puerto Rican Soldier praising the Army CA Program because it allowed him to work in the civilian industry that he actually wanted to work in. His English was not very strong, so he didn’t do very well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and he didn’t get a lot of job opportunities within the military. He was able to earn the PMP® by taking the test in Spanish while he was in Puerto Rico, and that allowed him to get the job that he wanted in the civilian world. It’s very rewarding when they tell you things like “I’m in my last class, and thank you for the support, counseling, and guidance that you have provided me.”
What recommendations or words of advice regarding credentialing would you have for transitioning or recently discharged Service members?
If you are looking to request a credential, make sure that you love the industry. It’s hard to see people just go into an industry because it pays more and then they hate their job and they never advance in their career because they hate it. Once they’ve identified an industry, they should research the careers related to that field using the O*NET Online portal called My Next Move, which is very helpful for transitioning Soldiers. It connects military specialties to civilian occupations and includes a tool that guides career choice based on skills, abilities, and interests.