United Service Organizations (USO) and Coursera – one of the world’s leading online learning platforms – announced a specially designed course to help active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard members navigate the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life.
“Making Your Military Transition a Transformation” is a free eight-week course taught by Cory Boatwright, an Air Force veteran and military transition expert, who offers actionable steps for building meaningful careers. This professional development opportunity combines Coursera’s robust online learning resources, the USO’s 80 years of military support experience, and Boatwright’s personal experience and expertise to ensure that participants can succeed regardless of where or when they begin planning for post-military life.
As part of the USO Pathfinder Transition Program, “Making Your Military Transition a Transformation” will supplement existing career services such as the USO Mentorship offering and Professional Certificate programs that are already running in partnership with Coursera. Through the USO Pathfinder Transition Program, Transition Specialists guide participants through the process, develop a personalized Action Plan, and help connect them to additional resources and networks.
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“This online learning opportunity is a continuation of our commitment to stand by service members from the moment they enlist to the moment they are settled back into civilian life,” said Lisa Elswick, Vice President of Transition Programs at USO. “We are proud to partner with Coursera so that the military community can set and reach their personal and professional career goals.”
Topics covered during the two-month course include analyzing personal motivations, prioritizing career pursuits, creating a career journey map, avoiding common transition pitfalls, and more. Participants will engage with a variety of videos, readings, discussions, quizzes, and USO Pro Tips – key points to accelerate transformation – along the way. “The lessons I teach are designed to give military community members the tools they need to recognize personal or systemic challenges, develop clear career goals, and succeed in a rapidly changing world,” said Boatwright. “Hopefully, my personal experience as an Air Force veteran, corporate leader, and now entrepreneur, will make the course both relatable and inspiring.”
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The course’s kick-off follows many months of thoughtful lesson planning from the USO, Coursera, and Boatwright. The end goal was to create an easily navigable, highly engaging space for service members to kickstart careers. Initial feedback suggests that the new course will be a success in these respects. “This course is exactly what I needed when I transitioned from the Marine Corps. I found there were few programs that actually addressed finding your purpose,” reflected beta tester Derek Ludlow. “I love that this course addresses both finding your purpose and going after it! And that’s just one takeaway – from start to finish, there is so much great advice here and actionable content.”
“We are proud to partner with the USO to offer coursework designed for the specific needs and interests of military members,” said Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “This collaboration will provide service members with a flexible, fully-online learning program to help them prepare for and succeed in civilian careers.”
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