Portable Careers

The purpose of the Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) is to provide portable career opportunities for military spouses. A "portable career" has a credential recognized in multiple states and job opportunities across the country. Portable careers will make it easier for a military spouse to find a job following a military move.

The Departments of Labor and Defense have identified several "high growth industries" and "in-demand occupations" for military spouses. The selected high growth industries (industries expected to add a large number of jobs to the economy) provide the greatest range of portable careers. The following is a list of high growth industries with examples of occupations within each industry.

A list of in-demand occupations follows the high growth industries list. These in-demand occupations are growing faster than average or have a high demand for employees. 

  • Please click on the high growth industry or in-demand occupation for career information.

High Growth Industries

Any occupation within these five indsutries are eligible for the Career Advancement Accounts.
  • Financial Services 
    (Such as: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks; Credit Analyst; Payroll and Time-Keeping Clerks; Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators; Real Estate Sales Agent; Bank Teller; Tax Preparer)
  • Education
    (Such as: Child Care Worker, Teacher's Aide/Assistant)
  • Health Care
    (Such as: Practical/Vocational Nurse, Surgical Technologist, Dental Hygienist, Radiologic Technician, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, Pharmacy Technician)
  • Information Technology
    (Such as: Network and Data Communications Analysts, Database Administrator, Computer Support Specialist)
  • Construction
    (Such as: Carpenter, Electrician, Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
    Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers, Surveyors/Mapping Technicians)

CAA Eligible In-Demand Occupations

The following lists of occupations are the only ones within these industries that are eligible for Career Advancement Accounts.

Human Resources

  • Employment Interviewers
  • Personnel Recruiters
  • Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
  • Human Resources Assistant
  • Training and Development Specialist
  • Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists

Hospitality
Culinary career ladder:

  • Culinary Arts
  • Chefs and Head Cooks
  • Meeting and Convention Planners
  • Hospitality Management

Homeland Security

  • Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
  • Security Guards
  • Surveying and Mapping Technicians
  • Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
  • Police Identification and Records Officers
  • Police Detectives
  • Fire Fighters

Business Administration

  • Cost Estimators
  • Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators