Making it in the MilLife

By Kate Leming

After representing MOAA’s Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council at the Military Spouse Symposium & Career Fair in San Diego, CA last week, I walked away believing that we will be the generation of Military Spouses that “figures out” spousal employment.

We will be the generation that brings our stories to decision makers and legislators so that we will break through the glass ceiling particular to military spouses.

We will be the generation that fixes the licensing and certification process that results in significant cost outlays and large gaps in employment histories.

We will be the generation that fights chronic under-employment that is a result of discrimination and job hoarding by locals.

A sense of urgency
Over the course of the symposium I met countless spouses who share the same sense of urgency in addressing these challenges both for our own fulfillment and for the health of our fighting force. Many of us swapped stories of superstar service members we knew who left the service because their superstar spouses longed for meaty careers, too. We know that there must be a way for military spouses to have meaningful, continuously advancing careers while still supporting our spouse’s desire to serve.

Military spouse attorneys – unique challenges
One of the highlights of the symposium for me was meeting seven military spouses who are attorneys. In 2011, MOAA Spouse Council Member, Judge Erin Wirth, along with Mary Reding created the Military Spouse JD Network. The MSJDN aims to make it possible for military spouse attorneys to continue practicing law as they move across the country and around the world without the onerous tasks of taking multiple bar examinations and maintaining costly bar memberships.

My hope is that the success of the MSJDN will spur other occupational groups of military spouses to band together to ensure successful career transitions as they move from post to post. I envision a day when Facebook is teeming with “The Military Spouse Nurses’ Network” or “The Military Spouse Teachers’ Network” or “The Military Spouse Opticians’ Network.” By joining forces, these professionals can gather both success stories and horror stories to present to decision makers. They can share tips about where to find employment at particular duty stations and how to navigate the licensing process.

Employer support
As the businesses at the career fair packed up, I went from table to table thanking the exhibitors for taking the time to meet with these amazing military spouses. I shared with them how exceptionally qualified military spouses are to do high level work, how profoundly under-employed they typically are and how fiercely loyal and hard-working they are when they find a company that values their abilities.

We can do it
In 2012, let’s work together to “solve” spousal employment so that succeeding generations of military spouses never have to worry about supporting their spouse’s call to service by sacrificing their own dreams and ambitions.

Kate Leming serves on the 2012-2013 MOAA Currently Serving Military Spouse Advisory Council. She is an Army spouse, and her current full-time job is as a stay-at-home mom to her three children,  Mary,  Michael, and Elizabeth. Kate is a proud graduate of Cornell University where she received a BS in Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Business Management and Marketing. 

More than 500 military spouses descended onto the San Diego Convention Center yesterday to learn, be inspired and get connected at the 2012 MOAA and Blue Star Families Military Spouse Symposium & Career Fair.

“This event was very informative and covered many topics that are hard to get answers to,” said one Navy spouse.

“It was beneficial to hear the many perspectives from the employer panel,” added a Marine Corps spouse.

The employer panel, “Five Things Employers Want You to Know,” featuring military spouse and CEO of the United Way of the Midlands, Karen Bricklemyer, was an inside look at how employers see military spouse job seekers. And it’s not what you think.

Employers want to know why there is a gap in employment, the panelists agreed, but it’s not the time out of the workforce that concerns them, it’s the why. And military service isn’t red flag.

“Be a super star,” said Bricklemyer. “Highlight your results, not just activities.”

“Be a dragnet for local connections as you move around,” said Pamela Green, vice president with the Society for Human Resource Management, who grew up in a military family. “Companies are growing globally and your travels are an asset.”

Facebook, diversity director, Sara Sperling stressed the use of social media. “Build connections on line. Employers are using social media to find or research employees,” she said.

“Even though they aren’t supposed to,” added Green, which drew a laugh from the crowd.

Spouses peppered the panelists with questions on everything from work-life balance to underemployment. Hearing their stories, Lorraine Field, human capital lead for TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the event’s signature sponsor, was wowed.

“That room was full of talent,” she said.

Following the symposium, spouses attended a career fair with more than 50 employers and took advantage of the opportunity to talk with local experts on employment, legislation and healthcare for military families in a special area called, “Capitol Hill Q&A.” MOAA also delivered its popular seminar, “The Dollars and ‘Sense’ of Working Outside the Home.”

Missed the event? Check out our favorite Do’s and Don’ts for military spouse job seekers that we picked up from the day:

• Do clean up your Facebook page. 89 percent of employers use social media.
• Don’t come in defeated to an interview. Build a relationship with the employer.
• Do lots of informational interviews. People hire people they know.
• Do demonstrate outcomes. Employers want to see results, not just activity.
• Don’t worry about paid experience. Highlight your great work – paid or not.

Sign up for the MOAA Spouse E-Newsletter to learn more and get the scoop on the next spouse symposium.

Thanks San Diego spouses for being such great hosts! Stay tuned for pics from the event!