Maura is in charge of Transition Services, which includes Project Next S.T.E.P., various monthly workshops, and Military Spouse Networking events.
Project Next S.T.E.P. (Service Member Transition Education Program) has been operating for about 2 years. They currently offer 3 courses designed to prepare transitioning service members for in-demand civilian certification tests.
The courses are held at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir during evening and weekend hours.The programs are open to active duty and wounded, ill and injured service members who are transitioning out of military service within 12 months, as well as their spouses (Active Duty).
For each course, they open an application window for about a week, and then select the participants by random lottery selection. They can only hold around 20 or 25 depending on the course.
Career education programs include:
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
is designed for entry-level network engineers. CCNA teaches skills such as installing, configuring, operating and trouble-shooting routed and switched networks. Instruction for this program is provided by Veterans Institute of Training and Technology, Inc.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
is designed for those with prior management experience. This will prepare attendees for the PMP certification exam; validating competence in the ability to lead and manage projects and teams. Instruction for this program is also provided by Veterans Institute of Training and Technology.
Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
is designed for those interested in a career in cyber security. CISSP is a comprehensive course teaching information systems security.
They will be working to set up a PMP in Maryland soon (likely at Fort Meade or Bethesda.
Please contact Maura Gondek, Program Specialist, Project Next S.T.E.P., at
mgondek@usometro.org
or 571-267-2086 for more information.
Monthly Workshops
Maura coordinates various workshops to be held in the evening to support a range of career and educational topics, such as:
-Franchising
-Grant Writing
-Troops to Teacher
-Real Estate
Military Spouse Networking Events
Maura coordinates a monthly Coffee Connection event for spouses to get together to network and learn about resources and services available to them. They recently invited our Army Emergecy Relief to present about their scholarships and financial aid they provide each year.
Four times per year she coordinates a larger Networking Event for spouses to learn about services available to them, and have the chance to meet and connect with other spouses, employers, and service providers through an interactive and fun speed networking session.
The next one will be September 19, see more info here
.
They are also helping to co-host a
Military Spouse Transition Course
along with Blue Star Families on September 14 that will provide more resources and services to spouses that may be preparing for transition within 3-5 years.
