Military spouses often face unique challenges when it comes to building and maintaining careers. Frequent relocations, the demands of military life, and long periods of deployment can create barriers to pursuing long-term career opportunities. However, many resources are available to support military spouses in finding flexible, portable, and rewarding careers. This guide explores the top resources that can help military spouses access education, job training, career development, and employment opportunities.
Table of Contents
1. MySECO (Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities)
MySECO, developed by the Department of Defense, is one of the most comprehensive career support programs available to military spouses. The program offers a range of services, including career coaching, resume reviews, and assistance with job searches. MySECO is tailored to military spouses looking for opportunities in a mobile lifestyle and provides resources to help navigate employment challenges.
Key features of MySECO include:
- Education and Training Support: Through MySECO, spouses can access resources to pursue higher education or vocational training. This includes information on scholarships, certification programs, and professional licensing.
- Career Exploration: MySECO offers tools to help military spouses explore various career paths based on their interests, skills, and current job market trends.
- Job Search Assistance: The platform includes job boards and connections to employers who are specifically seeking military spouse applicants.
- Career Coaching: Spouses can receive personalized career coaching to help them set and achieve their career goals.
Whether you’re just beginning your career or looking to transition to a new field, MySECO is an invaluable resource for military spouses.
2. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)
The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is a Department of Defense initiative that connects military spouses with employers who understand the demands of military life. Over 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations are part of the partnership, offering a range of job opportunities tailored to the needs of military spouses.
Key benefits of MSEP:
- Flexible and Remote Work Options: Many MSEP employers offer flexible or remote work positions, allowing military spouses to maintain careers despite frequent relocations.
- Employer Understanding: MSEP partners are committed to hiring military spouses, and offering jobs that accommodate the challenges of military life. These employers recognize the importance of providing career stability to spouses, even with the uncertainty of deployments and relocations.
- Job Search Tools: MSEP provides a job search portal where spouses can connect directly with employers who are military-friendly.
Through MSEP, military spouses can find positions in various industries, including healthcare, education, IT, and more.
3. Hiring Our Heroes (HOH)
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a nationwide initiative developed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help veterans and military spouses connect with job opportunities. HOH offers several programs tailored to the specific needs of military spouses, including:
- Military Spouse Fellowship Program: This program places military spouses in paid fellowships with participating companies, providing hands-on work experience that can lead to full-time employment. It is especially helpful for military spouses who are transitioning to new locations or exploring new career fields.
- Virtual Hiring Fairs: HOH hosts regular hiring fairs, many of which are virtual, allowing military spouses to meet employers from anywhere in the world.
- Professional Development: HOH offers free resources such as webinars, workshops, and resume writing assistance to help military spouses strengthen their professional skills.
Hiring Our Heroes also helps military spouses network with companies that actively recruit and retain military-connected employees, making it an essential resource for those seeking career opportunities.
4. CareerOneStop for Military Spouses
CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, is an extensive online platform that offers a wide variety of career resources for military spouses. The site provides tools and information to help spouses navigate their career paths, from job searches to education and training opportunities.
Key features of CareerOneStop for military spouses include:
- Credentialing and Licensing Information: CareerOneStop offers tools to help military spouses find information about professional licenses and credentials, which can be critical when relocating to new states or countries.
- Education and Scholarship Finder: Spouses can search for scholarships, grants, and financial aid to fund their education and training.
- Veterans and Spouses Job Finder: This tool connects spouses with job opportunities specifically targeting military families.
CareerOneStop also offers free assessments and career exploration tools to help military spouses identify potential career paths and plan for long-term employment success.
5. Scholarships and Financial Assistance for Military Spouses
Accessing education and training is often a key step in advancing a career, and several organizations offer scholarships and financial assistance specifically for military spouses. These programs help alleviate the financial burden of pursuing higher education or vocational training.
- MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts): MyCAA offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance for eligible military spouses to pursue certificates, licenses, or associate degrees in fields that are in high demand. The program is designed for spouses of service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2.
- National Military Family Association (NMFA) Scholarship: The NMFA offers scholarships to military spouses pursuing professional certification, training, or advanced degrees. These scholarships are tailored to spouses who are balancing their education with the demands of military life.
- Pat Tillman Foundation: The Tillman Military Scholars Program offers financial assistance to military spouses pursuing education in fields such as medicine, law, business, and technology.
These scholarships provide military spouses with the opportunity to further their education without financial stress, allowing them to focus on their long-term career goals.
6. Remote Work Opportunities
Remote work has become increasingly popular, especially for military spouses who need the flexibility to move with their families while maintaining a stable job. Several platforms specialize in listing remote job opportunities that are ideal for military spouses:
- FlexJobs: FlexJobs is a popular job search site for finding remote, part-time, freelance, and flexible jobs. The site allows users to filter jobs by remote work, making it easy for military spouses to find roles that can be performed from anywhere.
- We Work Remotely: This platform focuses exclusively on remote job opportunities in various industries, including tech, marketing, and customer service.
- Remote.co: Remote.co provides resources and job listings specifically for remote work, offering roles that allow military spouses to maintain consistent employment regardless of location.
Remote work opportunities provide the flexibility military spouses need, especially when juggling relocations and deployments.
7. Networking and Support Groups
Building a strong professional network is crucial for career development, and military spouses can benefit from various networking groups and organizations that offer career-related support:
- In Gear Career: This organization provides professional networking for military spouses. They host local and virtual events where spouses can connect with employers and other professionals in their field.
- Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN): MSCCN offers free employment readiness and job placement assistance for military spouses. The organization also provides training programs to help spouses develop the skills they need for today’s job market.
- Blue Star Families: Blue Star Families hosts career-building events, job fairs, and webinars specifically for military spouses. The organization also provides support for spouses looking to transition into new careers after military moves.
Networking with other military spouses and professionals can provide valuable connections that lead to career opportunities and support.
Conclusion
While military life can present career challenges, numerous resources are available to help military spouses overcome these obstacles and build successful, fulfilling careers. Whether you’re seeking education and training, looking for flexible or remote work, or searching for employers who understand the demands of military life, these resources offer a wide range of opportunities for career growth.
By leveraging programs like MySECO, MSEP, Hiring Our Heroes, and more, military spouses can find the support they need to thrive professionally, even in the face of frequent relocations and other military-related challenges.