Military spouse workshop ignites career passions

  • Published
  • By Sara Vidoni
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Being a military spouse requires dedication, commitment and often sacrifices. Recently, one of the sacrifices gaining more and more awareness is the challenge for spouses to find a successful, fulfilling and portable career that balances with the needs of their military life.

In response to that challenge, the Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted the Spouse Career Explosion.

The two-day event was held at Eglin March 12 and 13 for military spouses seeking employment and career resources in order to compete in today's job market.

"The goal of the career event was to give spouses the opportunity to learn techniques and receive resources needed for their career in one event tailored to them," said Roseline Anderson, an employment resources program manager at the A&FRC. "Spouse employment plays a key role in the financial well-being of our military families. As such, we need to do all we can to ensure their success."

The training included multiple workshops on career assessments, resume and interviewing tips, dressing for success and job searching techniques. The second day concluded with a career-focused panel session and career information fair.

The 30 spouses in attendance represented various levels of education and previous employment.

"My husband is retiring in the next two years, and we need to come up with another career," said Teresa Adams, a military spouse. "The military has allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom for years, but now I have to figure out how to go from being a mom to looking at myself in dress clothes again. I figured this event was a great way to reignite myself with the working world by meeting people and possibly finding some contacts."

For another spouse, Michelle Moore, attending the event was important for learning how to have a career within the limitations created by many military relocations.

"With so many military moves it is hard to keep going from job to job," said Moore. "I actually want a career. This event was an excellent way to try and hone in on some different types of jobs that might be more conducive to transitioning. The A&FRC has become our biggest advocate for wanting us to succeed in the job market while still being part of the military."

According to a recent survey by the Military Officers Association of America, more than 90 percent of responding female spouses of active-duty service members are underemployed and 85 percent indicated that it is difficult for military spouses to get hired.

The A&FRC is working to change those statistics.

"Active-duty military members have the Transition Assistance Program, but their spouses' needs are different," said Anderson. "The spouses are going to be just as affected by upcoming force shaping measures as the military members; providing this event was our way of looking out for the spouses as they may be preparing for a return to work or possibly a change in career."

The A&FRC provides employment resources for spouses and service members year round. Their next spouse employment workshop, "Home-Based Career and Telework Job Development Program," will be held May 6. For more information on the A&FRC and their employment resources and classes, call 882-9060.