MilSpouses Who Work It Archives

“I’ve Been Able To Cobble Together A Few Side Hustles And I Love It”

September 26, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

NextGen MilSpouse is going beyond traditional career tips and tricks for military spouses! We are sharing the real stories of working military spouses (just like you!) and their professional success stories on Wednesdays.

Name: Kimmie Fink

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

Identity Writer, Romper

Consultant/Facilitator, Welcoming Schools

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Romper – hourly, Welcoming Schools – contract

How long have you been working in this career field?

Writing – six months, Consulting – one year

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

Writing – telecommute from Starbucks; Consulting – at area schools

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love Romper because I get paid to write about my life (and find funny GIFs)! Welcoming Schools is awesome because it helps me be active in the fight for LGBT equality.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

I’d had my own blog on diversity and equity in education for about six months when my sister suggested that I try my hand at writing about parenting. I’d been trying to get published on a mommy website for a few months when I finally got a “yes” from Sammiches and Psych Meds.

Romper rejected my pitches four times, but in the last rejection they mentioned the Identity Writer position. I completed the edit test and got hired right away.

I blogged for almost a year without pay, and now I have two jobs because of it!

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I was a teacher for 13 years. I was trained in Welcoming Schools in 2014. My trainer knew I was having a baby, quitting my job and moving out of state. She stayed in touch and invited me to facilitator training in D.C. at HRC headquarters.

It was hard getting into schools here in Texas at first, but now that we have some grant money, work is picking up.

The program director noticed all the writing I was doing and hired me on to write their blog as well!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

When I got married and then immediately pregnant, I knew I wanted to leave my teaching job and be a stay-at-home mom.

I got married when I was older, and I honestly felt like I’d already accomplished what I wanted to in my career. Having to move was actually a great excuse to get out of a draining job.

However, I soon found that I wanted something just for myself.

I’ve been able to cobble together a few side hustles and I love it. I work remotely, so moving isn’t a problem.

The biggest challenge is that I work when my daughter is at Spanish school or napping, which doesn’t leave me much time for maintaining my household, and my husband is gone for a year.

How do you feel about failure?

I’d like to say it’s an opportunity to learn, but really…I hate it.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

When I was leaving a terrible job, my former boss told me “You don’t even need their recommendation. It’s just a blip on your radar.” That gave me the courage to quit.

Who is in your support squad and what role do they play in supporting your career?

Spouse – encouragement

Mom – reads everything

Sister – motivation, inspiration

Military family (other spouses) – promoting my writing, letting me crowdsource them, providing ideas

Expert trainer – tips and tricks, overall makes me feel good about myself

Romper boss – great feedback, she’s also understanding and hilarious

Former bosses – career advice

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

We did before he deployed!

In the morning, he would feed the pets, sanitize bottles and empty the dishwasher before I got up. I took care of the baby and household chores during the day.

When he got home, he watched the baby while I made dinner. Then I’d bathe her while he cleaned up the kitchen.

Related: 9 Inevitable Reintegration Fights

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

I’m a writer, so I use my morning commute to brainstorm ideas. If I have an idea during the day, I’ll add it to my Notes app on my iPhone or iPad so I don’t forget it.

I use my morning commute to brainstorm ideas. If I have an idea during the day, I’ll add it to my…

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What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

Wunderlist

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Hand Clap

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

Take a nap.

Related: Why I Don’t ‘Just Move Home’ During a Deployment

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

I have a toddler, so I would have a bionic eye with a camera that snapped video or picture whenever I wanted.

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Be patient. I blogged for almost a year without pay, and now I have two jobs because of it!

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“I Found That Overcoming Fears As A Military Spouse Helped Me Take Risks In My Career.”

September 19, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Teresa Banner

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

I am thankful to work as a Registered Nurse and Certified Family Life Educator.

I’ve worked a couple of different roles in different towns we have lived in, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to support service members and their families in the work I am doing now.

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Full-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

5+ years’ experience in serving families in a variety of different organizations

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

Office

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I *LOVE* supporting military families. I know firsthand the challenges of military life, and I believe that serving those who serve our country is a privilege.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

I have had the same position in three different military-connected communities, so maintaining connections with my previous employers and coworkers has been important to helping me stay connected to opportunities that come up in places that we move to.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

Time management.

There doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done sometimes. Keeping a weekly and daily routine as much as possible is important in helping our family stay connected with each other and with our other commitments/extra-curricular activities.

How do you feel about failure?

The fear of failure is something we all have to overcome. As military spouses we develop a certain familiarity with being in situations in which the future is unknown. It can certainly be scary and stressful!

But I found that using the experience of overcoming fears as a military spouse can help me overcome fears in taking risks in my career, like going to graduate school. (Especially in a field that was very different from my undergraduate degree!)

Military spouses are brave, and we can take risks to accomplish our goals!

Military spouses are brave, and we can take risks to accomplish our goals!

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What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Never stop learning.

I regularly look for classes and continuing education opportunities that can help me stay up-to-date and maintain my licenses/certifications.

Not just professionally – but personally – I think that seeing yourself as a lifelong learner helps practice and build resilience – always important in military life!

Who is in your support squad?

My husband is very supportive of my career, and he jumps in to do what is needed with the kids when I have had to work late or on weekends in the past. My parents and siblings are supportive when it comes to giving advice.

I have sweet friends who know that I’m not available for a coffee meet-up during work hours but still keep in touch with me anyways. I also rely on mentors in both nursing and ministry whom I know are only a phone call or text away.

I am thankful for the support that I have from near and far. It takes a village!

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

After staying home for a couple of years when my kids were babies it was a big transition to go back to work. My husband and I decided to divide up several household chores, and while talking about it we realized that my least favorite things to do around the house (dish washing and lawn mowing) and his least favorite things (dusting and vacuuming) were not the same, so it was a win-win!

We found a routine then that we mostly stick to still today. We make adjustments as needed when we have changes to schedules.

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

Every Saturday night my kids pick out their clothes for the next week and put them in a set of plastic drawers labeled for the days of the week. The weather forecast app and I help provide guidance (“no we cannot wear shorts when it is 20 degrees outside…”) but they make decisions about what they wear. This helps reduce the risk of I-have-nothing-to-wear moments in the mornings, and helps me know if I need to do laundry pronto to keep up with the week!

The idea originally came from somewhere on social media and saves us a lot of time in the mornings. I started this when I was working long hours on Sundays, and we have kept up the routine, which saves a lot of time and stress during the week.

Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without that isn’t your phone.

Tiles that attach to important items and the Tile app. This way my keys are never really lost! I can find them no matter where I left them!

What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

Adobe Scan – great for e-mailing signed permission slips that I forgot to send with my kids to school right from my phone, and also efficient for work (keeping up with receipts, etc.)

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Quietdrive’s remake of the 1982 song, “Africa” – love it!

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

READ! I have a large stack of books that I intend to read, but usually don’t finish as quickly as I would like to. Even though reading is not my absolute favorite pastime there is a special space of peace and quiet that comes with reading.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

Being able to fly would help us get to all of the weeknight commitments and extracurricular activities!

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Be flexible! Keep an open mind, and avoid letting your career fall into a pigeonhole.

I realized that as a registered nurse I was specialized in a very specific field and had to wait for a position in that field to come available when moving to an new duty station. So…I went to graduate school!

With a master’s degree in family studies and a Certified Family Life Educator credential I feel much less restricted to just one career path. Now I am qualified to work in many more areas than just nursing.

In fact, I previously worked in ministry at a church, and I hope to return to that field of work someday. It’s hard to imagine how one person could have two very different career paths – nursing and ministry – but I am grateful that it has worked out for me.

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“We Move A Lot, So Being In A Role That Is Not Virtual Is Not Much Of An Option For Me.”

September 12, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Beth Paschos

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

Senior Recruiter/Human Resources

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Full time

How long have you been working in this career field?

11 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

Telecommute for now

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love helping candidates find jobs that they love AND I love helping our clients find great talented professionals.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

I was working in this field before I became a military spouse, but I have had to tweak my career goals to fit military life. I found my current role as a virtual recruiter through networking on LinkedIn.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

The biggest challenge has been that we move a lot, so being in a role that is not virtual is not much of an option for me. But my company always has great opportunities for me and I am constantly challenged.

How do you feel about failure?

I don’t see failure as a negative thing because that is where you learn and grow.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Focus on where you are now and do your best in that role. I think too many times people want to rush to the next step. Leadership opportunities will come, but for now I am focusing on doing my best in this season.

Who is in your support squad?

My husband, #1. He has always supported my career ambitions. My best friend is also a military spouse with a career, so we talk about that a lot!

And of course, my mom. She has always told me I could do it.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

Yes when he is here! I also hire a housekeeper. With kids, full-time job and my husband’s crazy schedule, I have recognized that I am not super woman. So I do have cleaners come every other week.

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

Meal prepping on Sundays! I cook up my food that I eat during the day to save time and make sure my diet is healthy.

Also, I do one thing a week for myself, whether it’s hanging out with my friends, mani/pedi or just a bath.

Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without that isn’t your phone.

Alexa! I’m always having her add things to my shopping list!

What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

The Weather Channel, so I know what to wear and how to dress the kids, if we can play outside after I pick them up, things like that.

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

I would take a nap!

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

I would love to be able to fly. Then I could go visit my friends and family more, and get errands done quicker.

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Network!!!! Go to meet ups, get on LinkedIn and stay as connected as possible to professionals in your field.

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“As Military Spouses We Have To Create Our Own Opportunities.”

September 5, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Stacie Husmann

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

I own my own business, Cooking Thyme with Stacie.

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Part-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

6 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

I host my cooking classes in our home.

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love being able to share my joy of cooking and hospitality with others.

Being a military spouse and moving every two years can be difficult when trying to provide a happy home as well as nurturing relationships. I find that sharing a meal can create an environment that helps make the most of the time spent with friends and family.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

When I turned 40, our daughter was starting high school and our son was entering middle school. I realized that being a full-time stay-at-home mom was coming to an end.

What would I “do with myself?”

What was I qualified to do?

I had always had a small home-based business, from selling jewelry to home decor products, but what really was best suited to my talents and was still portable? My husband still had a number of years left on active duty and I still wanted to have a flexible schedule to be available for my family.

We had served for three years in Paris, France, when my husband was the assistant naval attaché at the American embassy. I developed my culinary and entertaining skills through dozens of events we hosted.

I also had taken a number of cooking classes outside of Paris in my free-time with a group of ex-pats. I loved the mornings I had spent cooking with them. I decided I could replicate the class experience and add my own experiences hosting international diplomats and military members!

I opened Cooking Thyme with Stacie in Hawaii in 2012. I have taught hundreds of students in Honolulu, Hawaii, Yokosuka, Japan and now Fairfax, Virginia.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

The constant moving and having to start over every few years (or less) is always a challenge!

It does not get any easier. Each new location has its own unique set of issues, especially when you do it with kids. I find I have to jump in right away, otherwise time passes and I have not invested in my community or in relationships.

Now that I have one child in college and a senior in high school you realize it is imperative to make the most of where ever you are! Whether you are alone while your spouse is deployed or not, don’t wait “for a better” time to do…fill in the blank.

It is not the place…it’s the people you invest in that will last!

How do you feel about failure?

Failure is not a word I use very much. Even if I fall short of a goal, it is a learning experience to build upon.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

After having my own home-based business for several years I have learned the importance of boundaries.

I could work more if I accepted bookings at night and during the weekends, but I found that it is too much of a strain on our family life. I feel my work needs to enhance, not complicate our family life. I need to set the goals for success, not what others think I should do.

I am much happier now that I have learned to say “no” on occasion.

Who is in your support squad?

My husband and children are very supportive of me and my business. Since we have moved three times since starting my business, I have also had to depend on my network of military friends to get the word out about my business each time I have to re-start it. Their assistance in marketing has enabled me to continue after each PCS.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

Communicating clearly is what I have found works best for our family. I do not assume the kids or my spouse know instinctively what needs to be done around the house. I find there is much less friction when I plainly list what needs to be done and ask for help with tasks.

In addition, since I am cooking frequently not only for our family but for my business as well, my husband knows how meaningful it is to me when he jumps in and cleans all the dishes.

What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

I love Instagram. Not only to keep up with current trends, but I loved being able to see my daughter’s posts while she was studying abroad.

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

If I had an extra hour a day I would spend it reading. I would like to read not only for pleasure, but to expand my knowledge.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

Being able to be in two places at once would be an ideal super power!

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

As a military spouse sometimes we have to create our own opportunities. Being stationed for short periods of time in numerous locations does not allow for one to build up a resumé with stable job experience many employers require.

What are you passionate about that you can share with others? If you can say to yourself “I would do it for free, I love it so much,” that may just be something you can turn into a profitable business.

Lastly, you need to have the confidence that your skills and expertise are worth paying for!

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“You Have Absolutely Nothing To Lose By Trying. You Have Everything To Lose By Not Trying.”

August 29, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Rebecca Alwine

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

Freelance Writer and Social Media Director for PCSgrades

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Freelance, including a part-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

5 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

I currently work from my bedroom/office.

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I absolutely love telling other people’s stories, and making a difference in the lives of those who read them.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

A friend, who was an editor, took a chance on me. The rest was a combination of hard work, networking and luck.

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Don’t rule out anything. Consider all options, even though it may not be the exact job you’re looking for.

How do you feel about failure?

It’s inevitable. It’s how you react to failure that defines you.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

The biggest challenge is the military community itself. Outside of the community, I’m an accomplished writer. Inside, I’m an enlisted spouse.

It feels like no one takes me seriously, despite my portfolio and accomplishments. Oh, and that paycheck I earn, all on my own.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Tell us the worst too, while you’re at it.

Best – You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying. You have everything to lose by not trying.

Worst – Don’t bother applying for that, you’re going to move soon.

Who is in your support squad?

In the past, my support squad has consisted of amazing child care providers, my spouse and my children.

While it isn’t easy to have two parents working, my children are amazingly resilient and helpful when it comes to those times I have to work and they are home. My parents and in-laws are also very supportive and willing to help with child care whenever possible.

PCSgrades social media manager Rebecca Alwine shared her best PCS tips in Happy Hour Episode 74.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

We split household tasks as much as possible depending on his current position.

Last year, I did the majority of the tasks, as his work hours were very long and high stress. This year, he’s home more and able to take more on.

I’ve also been known to outsource household chores as much as possible, thank you Walmart grocery pickup!

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

Going to the gym is a must for my sanity.

And as for saving time, I haven’t quite figured that one out yet. But I do manage to get quite a bit done in the mornings before anyone else gets up.

Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without that isn’t your phone.

Alexa – she helps keep me straight, play my favorite tunes and entertains me with jokes.

What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

It feels like everyone uses a different app! I like Basecamp and am learning to tolerate Trello. But I am still on the hunt for my favorite.

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

I’m not really a music person, but I do like a good Sousa march to get me motivated.

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

Read a book!

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

Teleportation. I would love to go more places, but be home for dinner.

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“Look To Your Active-Duty Spouse For Help With Your Resume.”

August 22, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Sherry Kellogg

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Global Study Manager

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Full-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

8 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

Telecommute from my home office

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love that every single day is challenge, but more importantly, I love that me and my team are bringing life-saving medical products to the market.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

I like to think of this job as a miracle. Throughout my time in the clinical research industry I have been aware that the industry is full of home-based positions, but they are insanely competitive and even more difficult for military spouses to land.

For the last three years, I submitted probably 100 applications – each one rejected within a few days of submission.

Just when I was about to give up, my husband vowed to help me land a home-based job. He revamped my resume to mimic an OPR/EPR, essentially highlighting my accomplishments and downplaying my multiple job moves. Five applications later, I landed this home-based job that perfectly aligns with my education and level of experience.

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

The obvious is perseverance, but beyond that look to your active-duty husband/wife for help. I hear so many people say that our active-duty husbands/wives do not know how to write a resume, but that honestly could not be farther from the truth.

Our husbands/wives are required to write really strong OPRs/EPRs annually, and those reviews really highlight their strengths and accomplishments, which is extremely useful for a military spouse resume as it downplays employment gaps and multiple job moves.

How do you feel about failure?

I’m definitely afraid of failure, but I treat it like a constant force, pushing me to do better. Failure is my motivator.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

In the military spouse community, I hear a lot of buzz about home-based jobs and how this is great for those in our community who want to work.

The reality is, however, that these jobs are just as appealing to civilians, making it insanely difficult to land home-based jobs as well. Even though clinical research management is heavily home-based, I am still having to compete with civilians who likely have stronger resumes than me.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Tell us the worst too, while you’re at it.

The best career advice I ever received was to treat every work experience as a lesson – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We have all experienced bad bosses – learn what not to do from them.

The worst career advice I ever received was to “apply for jobs well below your education and experience level just to get your foot in the door.” This advice really devalues your worth as an employee. I hear this advice given to so many military spouses and it really breaks my heart. It essentially creates this vortex of us being perpetually underemployed.

In my experience it is best to shoot for the stars. There will be an employer out there who will see your value and will hire you.

Who is in your support squad and what role do they play in supporting your career?

Hands down, my husband. There have been so many moments when I wanted to give up, and he was always there to push me toward my dreams. He picks bases based on where I can work and not necessarily what is good for his career.

We’re a team, and we do whatever it takes not to let Uncle Sam rule our lives and diminish our dreams.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

Yes! There is definitely and ebb and flow to our household tasks. There are times when I am busier, so he picks up the slack, and vice versa. It’s all about rolling with it and knowing when to pick up the slack.

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

I make going to the gym a priority. It’s how I de-stress and clear my mind. It’s like all-natural Prozac!

I am also all about meal prepping and crockpot dinners. I can work all day, get in some gym time, and have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without that isn’t your phone:

My Kindle

What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

Our Groceries is a grocery list app that both my husband and I can view – it makes managing grocery shopping so much easier.

Boxed is essentially online Costco without membership fees. We don’t have time to run these sorts of errands, so it’s extremely helpful to have bulk items delivered right to the house. Plus, Boxed is known for creating a great work environment for its employees.

What’s your must-have song on your productivity playlist?

“Angel in Blue Jeans” by Train

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do with it?

Cook! I love to cook. Besides working out, cooking puts me in my happy place.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

Don’t we all wish we could slow time?!

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“(Job) Interviews Suck And Rejection Hurts, But You’ve Got To Keep It Up.”

August 15, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Danielle Lankford

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

I am the fund development director for The Sharing Place, a grief support center in Salt Lake City.

My job is amazing because I get to indulge my business and data mining side while doing great things for the kids who find refuge with us during a hard time. It’s so rewarding.

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Full time

How long have you been working in this career field?

5 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

office and telecommute

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I spend my days telling stories about some pretty amazing people and once I’ve done that, raising the money is pretty easy.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

It was really coincidental actually. My husband and I had a friend die from suicide and went through a pretty traumatic grief experience ourselves.

About a month into therapy, I heard about The Sharing Place on This American Life, the podcast. And, I thought it was so amazing how the kids in the program could talk about difficult subjects like cancer and suicide and overdose so openly and authentically. I didn’t think much about it, but I felt like I could really use something like that in my life.

Wouldn’t you know just a couple months later, the development position opened up and I was really looking for that next step in my career but I thought I’d never get the job. I got two interviews and an offer and I was over the moon!

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Don’t give up! It seems so daunting especially after a move, but things do happen if you just keep putting yourself out there.

Interviews suck and rejection hurts, but you’ve got to keep it up.

How do you feel about failure?

Failure is something I have been trying to get better at. It’s a learning opportunity, a chance to grow. I know that logically and I’m trying to live more of it now.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

Interviews. If I want to grow into a new opportunity, it’s so hard to get around those awkward questions.

We were stationed overseas for some time, so it always comes up “What brought you to England?” Errrr… I never know how to read their potential reaction, but I have found being honest and then turning it into a positive is best. You might be surprised. My current boss told me how much he was into Air Force history and planes, and it ended up being an asset.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Tell us the worst too, while you’re at it.

The best I received from my dad. He told me in college when I was considering changing my major, to just study something I couldn’t get enough of. If I loved it, I would excel in it, and if I excelled in it, I would stick with it and get a lot out of it. I could always turn it into any career I wanted just by highlighting the right parts of what I had learned to fit the job.

The worst I think I ever received was at a recent job when I was basically told you have to be miserable in your job for a while to work your way up. That’s just poor management.

Who is in your support squad?

My husband is my #1 hero. He has always supported me in my career choice, and more recently, through grad school. He took over household responsibilities while I was in night classes.

He cheers me on when I smash fundraising goals and listens to me when I’m dealing with a difficult donor or volunteer. He’s never complained about the event hours or the money we’ve spent on my school, and he knows he has to make an appearance at fundraising events and volunteer projects.

He doesn’t even ask, he just does.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

Yes, we each have chores for certain days of the week and we divide up making dinner as well.

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

Waking up early. It’s been a long and hard process getting myself to do it, but I get so much more done in the morning and then I can just hang out and watch TV at night to wind down after work.

What’s your favorite app for making the most of your day?

Toodledo

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

It sounds cheesy, but I think I’d do more yoga. Sitting at a desk gets to you after a while, and I feel so refreshed after a stretch session.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

My super power would be super healing because that’s what I like to think I do at work every day by bringing in the resources that continue to allow processing and healing through our doors.

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

“Don’t Settle For A Job That You Know You Will Not Like.”

August 8, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Lisa Treat

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your profession:

Administrative Assistant at a Military Treatment Facility (on-base hospital) for the Chief Medical Officer.

I am really a jack of all trades at this point. I manage and control all incoming and outgoing correspondence to make sure it is in accordance with Army rules and regulations. I prepare policies and procedures for specific departments to adhere too. Make travel arrangements for individuals in my section.

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Full-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

8 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

Office

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love working with the military personnel and civilians alike. There is constant change and new people coming in to meet. Also, a new challenge and different things to learn with the Army.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

I applied through usajobs.gov with my resume and help from the on-base civilian office. Little known fact is that there is a huge difference between a civilian and military resume.

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Be consistent and make sure to talk to the civilian services on your post to receive your preferences within the first 18 months of PCSing.

How do you feel about failure?

I hate it and I am a very persistent person so I normally find a compromise for myself so I don’t feel like a failure.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

Trying to explain how I can be an asset to a company/organization within the window that I am there.

Also, not really knowing how long we will be in one place is always an interesting conversation too.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t settle for a job that you know you will not like. It’s not good for your self esteem and it’s not good for that company either.

I took a job once that I knew was too slow-paced for me but I need to get out of the house so I took it. After a few weeks I spoke to the owner who then told me that she knew I was too high-speed for her company and respected me wanting to move on.

Who is in your support squad?

My husband, my parents, brothers, friends near and far, and my three daughters.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

Yes and no. He deploys frequently on short missions so it comes a point that it’s just easier if I do it. I have enlisted the help of my children for “chores.”

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

Best life-hack (that I don’t follow enough) pre-make my lunches, pre-pack my workout bag, or generally do as much as you can the night before.

Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without that isn’t your phone.

Netflix for my sanity and my kids’ sanity; we do not have cable and they have done a great job on the Kids Netflix of promoting educational shows.

What’s your must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Anything from 90s Country

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do?

I would get more into woodworking projects. That is one hobby that I have found an interest in that I never have time to practice.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

To just twitch my nose (like Samantha on “Bewitched”) and have my house clean! I have hired housekeepers before and didn’t think they did a good enough job so I have stopped and went back to doing it on my own.

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.

Episode 87: Bleisure, It’s A Thing

August 3, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

This week we welcome Ashley Metesh-McCoy, owner of Kinship Vacations. Ashley tells us why being a travel agent is a great career for military spouses and gives us major wanderlust for our next vacation.

Plus Amy is back from her California vacation! We know you missed her as much as we did.

This Week’s Guest: Ashley Metesh-McCoy, Kinship Vacations

The Happy Hour is thrilled to have Ashley Metesh-McCoy as this week’s Military Spouse Who Works It and podcast guest. Ashley is the owner and Head Experience Curator at Kinship Vacations. Kinship Vacations provides start-to-finish travel planning and booking services for people that really want to connect with their kin through unique travel experiences.

Ashley is a military brat, veteran and military spouse. She enlisted in the Army National Guard before completing ROTC at the University of Washington in Seattle. She spent the remainder of her military career as a Military Intelligence Officer, including one deployment to Afghanistan where she met her husband.

After Ashley’s career in the Army, she earned an MBA from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She then worked for Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise conglomerate, where she created the company’s first Competitive Intelligence Program.

If you are interested in learning more about being a travel agent, join Ashley’s Facebook group. Ashley’s free Virtual Travel Career Summit starts on Monday, August 6.

Learn more about what Kinship Vacations offer on their website or if you just love travel tune into her Wunderlust Weekly for inspiration.

You can read Ashley’s Military Spouse Who Works It feature article here. Are you a military spouse who works it? We want to feature you on NextGen MilSpouse. Click here to complete the Military Spouse Who Works It questionnaire.

NextGen MilSpouse Posts That Have Us Talking

Every military spouse needs to take a vacation just because (and it doesn’t have to break the bank).

19 Bible studies and Christian books to help military spouses in every situation.

Amy Brings Us The News From Military.com

Get Amy’s rundown of which proposals made it into the 2019 Defense Bill and which ones didn’t.

Jessica Tells Us What’s Trending On Social Media

Make some PCS resolutions this year.

Happy belated birthday Harry Potter! This meme is an oldie and a goodie.

NextGen MilSpouse’s Happy Hour Podcast is the official podcast of NextGenMilSpouse.com. We offer a fresh and modern take on military life for today’s military spouse. From navigating your career to surviving your next move, NextGen MilSpouse has you covered.

Our news and current events are brought to you by our friends at Military.com. Make sure you never miss a show or a story by subscribing to our podcast on iTunes or GooglePlay and by signing up for the NextGen MilSpouse Newsletter at NextGenMilSpouse.com. Still want more? Connect with us and other listeners in our Happy Hour Facebook Group.

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“It Took Me Over A Year To Find This Job And If I’d Have Given Up I Wouldn’t Be Here.”

August 1, 2018 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Jen Jones

Years as a military spouse:

1.5

Tell us your profession:

Sustainability Coordinator. I also moonlight as a dance teacher.

Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?

Full time

How long have you been working in this career field?

6 years

Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks), or a little bit of both?

Office

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I get to feel like I’m doing something positive for the world.

How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.

Mixture of luck, experience, and some excellent support and resources from Hiring Our Heroes particularly their AMPLIFY session.

You can learn more about AMPLIFY here and here.

What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?

Persistence is key! It took me over a year to find this job and if I’d have given up I wouldn’t be here.

Also don’t be too proud to work where you have to to get the skills/money you need while you’re looking for the perfect opportunity.

I served pizza and adjunct taught until I could find this job.

How do you feel about failure?

I have a tangled relationship with failure!

There are so many lessons to be leaned from failing and I’m always talking about its merits to the students I work with and to my colleagues. But when I experience failure I take it really hard.

Malcolm Gladwell’s article “The Art of Failure” and Brené Brown’s work have both helped me to get better at using failure for a purpose.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?

For me, it’s been getting comfortable with the fact that the military is the non-negotiable priority #1. I’ve only been at this for a little while and thankfully haven’t had to deal with it too much (though I know it’s coming.)

But as a strong and independent women who is very career-driven I have to remind myself a lot why we are doing this and why my career has to come second.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Tell us the worst too, while you’re at it.

Best: the concept of a “crooked trajectory” from my first boss. We all have a path and some of our paths seem to be crooked and going all over the place until you find a job that all the seemingly random skills you’ve accumulated come together to make you really good at it.

Worst: the traditional idea of figuring out what you want to do when you’re 18, getting a degree in that, and then working in that job for the rest of your life.

My job didn’t even exist when I went to college.

Who is in your support squad?

Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network folks, my former work wife and BFF who’s also a milspouse serving in Hungary (she’s a BAMF), my sisters, and of course my sailor.

Do you and your partner split household tasks? How do you do it?

We literally took a chalkboard easel left over from the wedding and wrote out all the chores and their frequency and split them up by workload. I was doing most of it until I got hired full-time and really was feeling overwhelmed with it all.

And we don’t even have kids (you warrior moms amaze me).

I’m lucky that my husband (though sometimes begrudging) is willing to help out.

Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week.

1) Sometimes it doesn’t matter that your house doesn’t look like Joanna Gaines just left. This is a hard one for me but when there’s only so much time you have to prioritize what matters.

2) One of the awesome speakers at AMPLIFY gave me this gem – outsource when possible. I would have never considered hiring a housekeeper but am now looking for someone to help so I can placate my analyses and still make #1 happen.

Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without that isn’t your phone.

The Google software suite!

Favorite app for making the most of your day?

Apple “reminders”

What’s your must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Can’t Hold Us” and any Disney classic (belted at the top of my lungs, of course).

If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do with it?

Sleep?? Yoga or meditate. They always end up at the end of the priority list even though I know how much they benefit me.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?

Slow down and speed up time – to help through the hard stuff and cherish the good stuff

Are you a working military spouse? Do you want to share your career tips and tricks? Fill out the MilSpouses Who Work It Q&A today. Click here to complete our questionnaire.