It may look like a typical college classroom, but the every student has military training and they're all looking to the next step after active duty, a career.
"It's not as easy as you think it might be when you get out," U.S. Army Sergeant Stephanie Cedeno said.
Sgt. Cedeno works as an Apache mechanic, she has about nine months left in the service and is already taking steps that will help shape her future. "So I wouldn't have to have that in my mind, well, what am I going to do now," Cedeno explained.
Microsoft is making it easy for her and other military service members to get a jump start with the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy or MSSA.
"Two hundred thousand military people will be exiting per year for the next five years," said Major General U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) Chris Cortez. He now serves as the vice president of Military Affairs for Microsoft. "Couple that with the fact that in the IT industry, Microsoft alone has thousands of jobs that aren't filled because there aren't enough people with an IT background," he continued.
Graduates of the MSSA program are guaranteed an interview with Microsoft but there are dozens of other companies looking to fill positions as well. "They're team players. In a company and industry that's what is needed," said Cortez.
"I think every soldier should take advantage, just at least try to see if they can get into the program," Cedeno said.
For more information about the MSSA program visit; http://military.microsoft.com/training/mssa/.
