Thinking of joining the military to find a job or training?
Think again!
This guide is intended to provide alternatives to military service for youth in Maryland who may be considering a career in the United States Armed Forces. There are more than a hundred links below that will hook you up with thousands of job, training, and educational opportunities near your home, across the country or around the world. The U.S. government and the state of Maryland have programs that can assist you in figuring out what to do with your life. There are many free job-search sites and opportunities with non-profit and faith-based organizations. Spend a few hours clicking around and use the free search engines. In the process, you're likely to find something that is truly exciting. You don't have to join the military.
The United States Army produces five professional, glossy brochures promising new recruits "Money, Education, Training, Service, and Adventure." That's how they're selling it to you. They're hoping to convince you that your options are limited. None of the Army's fancy brochures mentions that the U.S. frequently wages war, and they never say you stand a good chance of getting hurt or even killed. Their brochures leave out the long tedious hours, the low pay, the mandatory eight-year enlistment contact and the fact that you can't quit if you don't like it.
The brochures also say if you join the Army you'll and earn up to $70,000 for college. They seem to say that if you join the military, college is all but paid for. But less than half of recruits ever receive any education benefits from the military. Most that do get money don't see anything close to $70,000. Enlisting in the armed forces is likely to set your educational goals back. If you put in the necessary time, energy, and dedication, you can find a way to pay for college.
The basic pay rate for a new enlistee in the Army is less than $300 per week. You'll pay Federal Income Tax, Social Security, Medicare, and State Taxes on your basic pay. The military will foot the bill for you room, board and health care. In return, they'll own you.
So here's the challenge. See if you can find something to do with your life that pays better than the military. See if you can find training or education on your own. There are plenty of programs out there that are designed to help you. Do you think you could find an adventurous job without joining the military if your life depended on it? You could work in one of our beautiful National Parks or fish for King Crab in the Bering Sea. How about service? Maybe you'd like to volunteer to feed the hungry in Africa or build homes for the poor right here at home? Perhaps a job at a resort on a tropical island or working on a cruise ship would be more to your liking than joining the military. You'd make more money than the military, you could quit if you didn't like it, and you wouldn't have to kill anyone.
The first section below is a list of governmental sites in Maryland that offer jobs or job training to someone like you. Some of these positions require a college degree and/or experience, but many do not. Don't get discouraged. People often make the mistake of performing a very narrow search that fails to provide results. If you have a high school diploma, you can type "high school" when you're prompted for keywords and you'll find jobs that require a high school diploma.
The next section describes several resources provided by the U.S. government for jobs in Maryland. You'll also see sections dedicated to commercial sites, educational sites, financing college, and apprenticeships. Most of these links are for opportunities in Maryland. The last two sections list employment opportunities with religious & non-profit organizations and a huge variety of positions around the country.
DISCLAIMER: We've done our best to eliminate websites that promote the military. However, some of the commercial job search sites that appear below may occasionally provide links to the armed forces. Also, be careful about not getting scammed by for-profit entities that offer scholarships and other services.
The state of Maryland wants to help you find a job
U. S. Government Resources
U.S. Federal Government Jobs by location (Breakthrough Publications Inc. posts jobs from 300 federal agencies - data from the Office of Personnel Management
Career Net - The U.S. government wants to help you find the right career.
AmeriCorps is a network of service programs that connects more than 70,000 young people each year in intensive service to meet our country's needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.
Maryland Commercial Sites
Sailor - Maryland's Public Information Network - Provides resources for finding jobs
Maryland Educational Sites
BrainBuzz: Free computer training and study guides:
Financing College
To apply for student financial aid from the federal government, including the Pell Grant, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan and work-study, you will need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is no charge for submitting this form. The FAFSA is also required by all state-sponsored student assistance programs. Start here to finance college.
Need help paying for college but don't want to join the military? This site lists several online financial aid finders to help students in seeking out alternative sources of funding rather than joining the military. Most of these sites are free.
Maryland Apprenticeship Programs
Robert Laudeman, State Director, USDOL/ETA/OA Federal Building - Room 430-B 31 Hopkins Plaza Baltimore, Maryland 21201 410/962-2676 E-Mail: laudeman.robert@dol.gov
College Board.com: This is an excellent resource for learning the internship process.
Monster.com: Enter "Internships" where it says "Keyword."
University of Texas Career Center lists several dozen excellent internship opportunities:
National Religious & Non-Profit Organizations
The following sites are to organizations that provide services to people. Some offer paid positions and some offer volunteer opportunities.
Brethren Volunteer Service - Volunteers bring hope to shattered lives, offer food and shelter to those in need, and build understanding between individuals, groups, nations, humanity, and the world we share.
Earthcorps restores parks and open spaces while providing leadership and community service experience.
Fellowship of Reconciliation: FOR is the oldest and largest interfaith peace and justice organization in the United States. They have internships and volunteer opportunities available across the country.
Listing of additional Web sites continued here.
