As a military spouse, it can sometimes feel like your career is getting left behind with every PCS move you make.
Just as you finally settle into the groove of work, those PCS orders come rolling in like clockwork, right?
You’ve probably noticed a familiar pattern:
Start a job.
Stop a job.
Rewrite resume.
Search job listings. Apply.
Cross your fingers you hear back.
Work a few years in the job.
Get PCS orders.
Start it all over again.
It feels like a never-ending cycle sometimes.
The good news is there are now plenty of military spouse employment resources to help you get back into working as soon as the unpacking dust has settled.
Whether you need to freshen up your resume or build your local professional network, there are specific military spouse programs out there to help you through the process.
Five excellent resources to consider:
- MyCAA
- MSEP
- VWISE
- eMentor
- Hiring Our Heroes
Aside from getting great support, these programs offer reassurance that military spouses can have a career, too.
The next time you have to relocate and start your job hunt all over again, check out these five resources:
1. MyCAA
The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program is a wonderful option for spouses looking for highly portable careers. Eligible spouses may receive up to $4,000 in tuition assistance to pursue a license, certification or associate degree.
Spouses can earn certifications and licenses in fields like:
- Medical coding and billing
- Massage therapy
- Veterinary assisting
- Medical assisting
- Phlebotomy
- Pharmacy technician
Why It’s a Great Resource
Free money for school is always nice because it allows you to focus on school instead of worrying how to pay for it. MyCAA pays tuition costs for education and training courses and examinations that lead to a license, associate’s degree, or certification.
Who is Eligible
Military spouses who have successfully completed high school and can request tuition assistance while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders. Your service member must be and active duty in pay grades: E-1 to E-5; W-1 to W-2 or O-1 to O-2.
Learn More: For more details on how the program works, check out the MyCAA fact sheet or visit the MyCAA website to learn how to enroll and take advantage of the benefit.
2. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)
The Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) created this program as a way to connect military spouses with partner employers dedicated to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouses. Sandboxx was recently inducted into the MSEP program this year!
Perks of using MSEP:
- Over 300,000 active job listings
- Hot jobs list that need quick hires
- Company profiles for easy research
Why It’s a Great Resource
This is a job database exclusively for military spouses to access hundreds of companies dedicated to hiring within the military spouse community. To date, MSEP partners have hired over 134,000 military spouses!
Learn More: Have questions? You can call 800-342-9647 to learn more about how it works. Or, visit the site to scroll through the available jobs in alphabetical order by company name.
3. eMentor
eMentor is a great resource for military spouses because of its offerings as an award-winning online mentoring program. Wherever military spouses go, eMentor can go with them. This online program connects military spouses and personnel as well as vets to work together in mentorship to advance their professional goals. Spouses in particular can benefit from advice from mentors in business development guidance and receive personalized career inspiration.
A few of the ways eMentor helps spouses:
- Navigation through professional challenges
- Increase in useful entrepreneurial skills
- Higher morale
- Job-related assistance
Why It’s a Great Resource
This organization is well trusted and established. Best of all, it’s free! This year, eMentor was chosen for HR.com’s LEAD 2019 Winner’s Circle for “Best Mentoring Program”. This is the fifth time eMentor has won the Winner’s Circle award from HR.com.
Learn More: Interested in becoming a mentor or a protégé? Sign up here to get started.
4. Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)
If your passion is turning your idea or start-up into a growing venture, this group is for you. The V-WISE program is all about providing a supportive network for female vets and military spouses looking to launch and grow their business.
V-WISE spouses take part in a 3-phase program:
- 15-day online course (Phase I)
- 3-day entrepreneurship training event (Phase II)
- Ongoing support for grads launching or growing their business (Phase III)
Why It’s a Great Resource
95% of program participants reported being highly satisfied with the V-WISE content, instructors, guest speakers and staff. If you’re looking for your tribe of forward-thinking individuals who are excited to take on business challenges and thrive in life, this group may be the continued motivation you need.
This organization receives support from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University along with donors and other organizations to provide minimal-cost educational programming for program participants.
Learn More: To apply to the program or learn more, visit the website here.
5. Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN)
MSPN works with military spouses to provide networking and career development opportunities in military communities worldwide. Since 80% of open jobs are filled via referrals, it only made sense to create a way for spouses to network quickly and efficiently at their new duty station.
How MSPN helps:
- Learn how to effectively job search
- Discover how to network
- Prep for the interview process
- Figure out your career goals
Why It’s a Great Resource
Worldwide, MSPN has more than 55 locations to help military spouses land on their feet in a career at their new duty stations. Local MSPN events engage and connect military spouses to established networks to allow them face-to-face connections with peers, mentors, and business leaders who can help them continue their career. Additionally, you can access online career development resources and connect with fellow military spouses in similar occupations, too.
Learn More: Discover more about military spouse programs here. Like to be social? Follow #HOHMilspouse on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Can a Military Spouse Have a Career?
While you may not necessarily stay in the same area for the entire length of your career, you certainly shouldn’t let that keep you from seeking work if that’s what you want to do.
The Spouse Employment & Education 2017 Survey of Active Duty Spouses revealed that 77% of spouses want or need work but find relocation to be a challenge in maintaining a solid career record.
Luckily, the above resources are readily available to help spouses get on their feet much faster with employment after each new PCS move.
Even before you move to your new duty station, you can start making connections to local organizations while also using the above resources to kick-start your job search or new career.
Need additional help?
Reach out and talk to a certified career coach for free.
This list of military spouse employment resources is just one place to start. Once you relocate, be sure to visit your base’s family resource center where career advisors can also help you with finding local jobs.
Happy job hunting!
What are some of the best military spouse employment resources you’ve found? Share in the comments below!
