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71U Career Guide

Army

71U: Data Processing Specialist

Career transition guide for Army Data Processing Specialist (71U)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 71U veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Data Entry Specialist

$40K
High matchStable demand

Records Management Specialist

$55K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of specific records management software (e.g., Laserfiche, SharePoint)Certification in records management (e.g., CRM, IGP)

Office Manager

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project ManagementBudgeting

IT Support Specialist

$60K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

IT certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+)Help desk experienceTroubleshooting skills

Junior Database Administrator

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

SQLDatabase management systems (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL)Data modeling

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 71U training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Following detailed data entry protocols and quality control checks to ensure accuracy and consistency in automated data conversion.

Adhering to strict guidelines and regulations to maintain data integrity and operational efficiency in various industries.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating with other data processing personnel to maintain workflow, meet deadlines, and resolve data discrepancies.

Collaborating with colleagues across departments to achieve project goals, streamline processes, and ensure seamless operations.

Resource Optimization

Managing equipment, supplies, and personnel to maximize data conversion output while minimizing errors and downtime.

Efficiently allocating resources and managing budgets to optimize productivity and reduce operational costs in various business environments.

Situational Awareness

Monitoring data processing operations to identify potential problems, anticipate bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions in a timely manner.

Maintaining a broad understanding of operational processes to proactively identify risks, mitigate issues, and ensure smooth business continuity.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Analyst

SOC 13-2005

You've been meticulously following procedures, ensuring data integrity, and spotting errors. That experience translates perfectly to a compliance analyst role, where you'll be ensuring a company adheres to regulations and internal policies.

Data Quality Manager

SOC 11-3021

You've supervised data conversion processes, trained personnel, and ensured data accuracy. This background makes you an excellent candidate for a data quality manager, where you'll be responsible for maintaining the integrity and reliability of data within an organization.

Process Improvement Specialist

SOC 13-1111

You've identified inefficiencies in data processing workflows and implemented improvements. This translates to process improvement specialist, where you analyze and optimize business processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9041

You've trained subordinates on data processing equipment and procedures. This experience prepares you to be a technical trainer, instructing others on software applications or technologies.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Data Processing Specialist Course, Fort Lee

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Information Technology

Topics Covered

  • Data Entry Techniques
  • Key-Punch Machine Operation
  • Tape Writer Operation
  • Data Verification Procedures
  • Record Management
  • Quality Control
  • Supervisory Skills (Advanced)

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)60% covered

Requires additional knowledge of general business practices, accounting, and office management.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)70% covered

Requires proficiency in the latest version of Microsoft Office Suite. Focus on specific applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

CompTIA Data+40% covered

Requires understanding of data analysis concepts, databases, and data visualization techniques. Focus on statistical analysis and data mining methodologies.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)ITIL Foundation Certification

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Card Punch Machines (e.g., IBM 029)Data Entry Keyboards/Legacy Data Input Systems
Paper Tape Readers/Punches (e.g., Teletype ASR33)Early Computer Data Storage/Archival Systems
Magnetic Tape Drives (e.g., IBM 729)Digital Audio Tape (DAT)/LTO tape drives for data backup
Automatic Typewriters (e.g., IBM Selectric)Electronic Typewriters/Word Processors
Data Processing Systems (Early Mainframes)Legacy Database Systems
Keypunch VerifiersData Validation Software

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