MilSpouses Who Work It Archives - Page 3 of 10

“Be Open About Moving Forward And Don’t Spend A Ton Of Time Looking Back.”

October 18, 2017 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: Delanie Schulze

Years as a military spouse:

8 years

Tell us your job title/profession:

I am a Director of Revenue Management for Wyndham Vacation Rentals. I help manage rates and inventory for vacation homes and condos across Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and California.

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?

I telecommute from the home or a co-working office with other military spouses

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love using data and Excel programs to identify trends that are occurring in our business. Once those trends are identified, my team and I will make recommendations such as rate changes or marketing promotions to try and change the trend. It’s exciting to see how those changes can positively affect the revenue for the company.

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

Prior to meeting my husband, I was an assistant buyer for a larger retailer in Texas. I loved my job and honestly had no plans of changing careers anytime soon. Then one fall afternoon, at a wedding, I met my husband and let’s just say, my plans changed.

We dated and then were engaged for about 2 years. A few months before the wedding I knew the inevitable was coming, I would be moving from Texas to Florida and would be leaving my job, so I started applying for positions in Florida. My family and I had been vacationing in this particular part of Florida where my fiance was stationed, for years, so I was very familiar with the area and local businesses.

The problem, there were no corporate retail chains in the area so I was worried that my retail-buying skills would not be relatable in that market.

Luckily, I applied for a marketing position with Wyndham Vacation Rentals. The HR lady recognized some of my skills that she thought would be a good fit for a revenue management position at Wyndham. She called me up and asked if it would be something I would be interested in.

At the time I had never heard of revenue management but it turns out that the skills I had acquired in the buying offices were a perfect fit.

I am so grateful that she was able to review my resume and see that I had skills related to a position she had open. I went through 3 rounds of interviews and ended up getting the position.

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

My advice would be to be open about moving forward and don’t spend a ton of time looking back.

I was devastated about leaving my job in Texas and really thought I was not going to find anything I enjoyed as much.

It turns out though, I found something I enjoy more and a company that works with me and my lifestyle better than my previous career would have.

In the military, change is inevitable, but if you can focus on the future and not what was, I think you will find that life can be great and this goes for your career as well.

How do you feel about failure?

Failure is hard.

I have had a lot of success in terms of my career, but I do feel at times I have failed at fully immersing myself in friendships and communities that we have been stationed at.

I try to overcome some of that by getting involved with community service and spouse groups but always feel like I could be doing better.

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

It’s extremely hard finding friends in the military community that are living the same lifestyle as me in terms of career goals. There are quite a bit of activities that happen during the working hours that I am just unable to attend which makes me feel a little disconnected with the community and spouses group.

Luckily, I have been able to find other spouses who are in the same boat as me and we have been able to build some strong bonds.

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

The best piece of career advice I ever received was from a fellow full-time working mom. As a working mom, there is a ton of mom guilt that comes along with dropping your child off at daycare and this is something I have personally struggled with over the years.

One of my colleagues told me once, “You have to make time for yourself, to be the best parent for your child” and I believe this to be so true.

That time for myself is working. For others it may be working out, social clubs, spa days, etc. but for me, I truly have a passion for using my skills and working in a professional environment.

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

My spouse is definitely my No. 1 supporter when it comes to my career. He has always understood how important a career is for me and always encourages me to continue chasing that dream. We have a 3-year-old son and juggling traveling while my spouse is trying to excel in his Air Force career can be hard at times. But I am so grateful that together, we make it work.

I would also say my mom and dad support my career as well and help out a ton when my spouse is deployed. Although my company is very understanding of my situation, especially when my spouse is out of the country, I am still required to travel once or twice a quarter, which is where my parents step up and help out with my son.

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

We definitely split household tasks. I wouldn’t say that we have specific tasks that we each do, although my husband definitely likes doing the dishes and I gladly allow that. We kind of both just work together to get the house cleaned, the kiddo ready for school and the dog fed.

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

My sanity during the week comes from taking 30 minutes to do a home-based work out program each day. It keeps me feeling good about myself without taking up too much of my time.

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

My wireless mouse

Favorite app for making the most of your day?

Apple Music

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Maren Morris – 80’s Mercedes

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

If I had an extra hour in my day, I would go antique shopping. I love finding that next great piece that will make our house a home, wherever we are stationed.

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

My super power would be to have the ability to be in 2 places at once. Conference call at the same time as mommy and me play date, no worries…I got this!

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 form.

“I Love Being Able To Shed Light On The K-12 Education Process For Military Families.”

October 11, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer 1 Comment

Name: Meg Flanagan

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Teacher, Freelance Writer, Blogger

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

It depends on the duty station and the opportunities

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?

A little bit of everything!

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love being able to shed light on the K-12 education process for military families.

Too often members of our community don’t know about free or low cost resources that can help them, like federal laws or tutoring programs.

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

I created it out of a need I saw in the community.

I started as a tutor/homeschool teacher in California in 2010. I noticed that many of my military clients simply didn’t understand the special education system in particular and the K-12 education system in general.

When I moved to Virginia in 2012, I started a job as a full-time classroom teacher in a district with a mobile population. I saw the same issues there.

In 2015, after a move to California, I decided to act on what I had been seeing and start MilKids Ed, a blog dedicated to helping military families (and teachers of MilKids) navigate the K-12 education journey.

From there, I have picked up freelance writing work across several media outlets and contribute to a military child-focused charity as a writer.

It’s not super profitable unless I’m teaching full-time too. But it is a passion project!

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 40 local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

For me, it was all about making that first connection. Once my foot was in the door at one freelancing job, it ended up leading to another and another.

Once you are in, stay connected and reach out to others. You never know when someone might be on the hunt for a person exactly like you!

How do you feel about failure?

I fail every single day. MilKids definitely doesn’t have the reach or clout I would like it to have at this point, but that’s OK. I’m still learning and growing as a person and as a writer.

My teaching career is on the backburner to help accommodate the military’s schedule and provide stability for our kids. It’s OK too! I’m still in the field, even if it’s in a different role.

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

The flexibility and fluidity of jobs and careers have been the biggest adjustment.

I came into this having grown up with the mindset of “30 years teaching in a district, then retire.” So far, I think the longest I have ever taught in one school was 2 contract years. And half of one year was spent on maternity leave!

Not every duty station is going to work out for me career-wise the way I want it to. When we got to our current duty station, I had big dreams of getting back into the classroom full-time.

Instead, we’re having a second child and I’m focusing more on freelancing for a few years. In a way, being a military spouse has given me the opportunity to explore more and different ways of being employed and an asset to the community beyond the classroom.

If we didn’t live this life, I could be tied to that classroom job, and might not have started blogging and writing.

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

Best: “Just see what happens.”

My mom has been drilling this into me lately as she sees me taking on too much (2 kids, full-time job, blogger, freelancer, etc.). She’s all about taking a step back and evaluating what is important right now in life.

Worst: “I made it work, so why can’t you?”

This or versions of this has been commented to me in several social media groups after I tried to advocate for easier/smoother license transitions for military spouses.

What works for one of us doesn’t work for all of us.

Just because one person’s particular journey in a career field has been smooth, doesn’t mean that everyone’s journey will be. It’s so important to stop judging each other and start helping.

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

My husband, Eric, supports me constantly. He has never pressured me to “get a job” and knows that making our family work is the most important thing right now.

My mom and dad, Chris and Tom, have always been there for me with sage advice and a reality check on my personal limits.

My large group of friends gives me advice, feedback and tips to help further my journey. It also helps that several of my friends are also in the writing and teaching fields!

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

It depends on the duty station, honestly!

If I am home more, then I shoulder more of the burden.

If I am working more or have more on my plate, we have hired someone to help. In the cost-benefit analysis, paying for help has both saved our sanity and given our family more flexibility to enjoy where we live!

Generally, I am the cook. Mostly because I love cooking and have severe food allergies. Plus, our family cannot live on PB&J sandwiches or pasta alone!

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

Whiteboards.

I have whiteboards, the peel and stick kind, all around my house. We have a meal planner and a grocery/to-buy list side-by-side on the fridge. There is a calendar one on the wall over the desk.

As I transition from full-time work to SAHM/freelance hustling, there will be another whiteboard with all of my writing to-do items. If it’s not on the whiteboard, it doesn’t get bought or it doesn’t happen.

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

MacBook Air. So much functionality and creation capabilities!

Favorite app for making the most of your day?

CNN so I know what is happening in the world right now.

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young

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

RUN! I’m a dedicated runner, and any extra time is spent on the road.

Running literally saved my sanity in 2014 during a bout with postpartum depression and I can’t imagine my life without it.

Just ask my husband what happens when I can’t get a solid run in for a few days. It is really not pretty!

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

I would be able to clone myself and designate chores or tasks to said clones. That way I would never have to fold and put away laundry ever again!

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 form.

“Failure Is Not An Option. I Have Come Too Far And Have Too Many People Counting On Me To Succeed.”

September 27, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Channel Milbourne

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

I am the owner of Military Biz Connection, an online business directory for veteran and military spouse owned businesses. We want to connect the business owner to the consumer and have military business owners work together as well.

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

All day everyday!

How long have you been working in this career field?

Business started in April 2017

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

I work from home

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love that I’m helping my community (military) . I love that I am able to do something that makes me want to get out of bed everyday. It’s not always easy but it is worth it.

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

After searching for a job in Savannah and getting nowhere I decided to take my future into my own hands and start my own business.

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

Just be you because everyone else is taken!

How do you feel about failure?

It’s not an option. I have come too far and have too many people counting on me to succeed.

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

First impression is everything. You only get one chance to make one so make it count!

I don’t really have a worst. I have been told that less is more when you’re interviewing but I say it depends on what you’re applying for. I’m a communicator so less doesn’t apply to me. lol.

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

My family for sure. My mom is my biggest cheerleader and my husband would be a strong second. Between the two of them they push me to be who God has called me to be and they never let up.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

Oh yes!!!! No one is exempt in my house. We both handle it all. However there are somethings that I just don’t like to do so I leave that for him on purpose. hahaha

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

Snuggle up and watch a movie

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

To get rid of all the hatred in people’s hearts.

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 form.

“Don’t Be Scared To Counteroffer. You Know Your Worth, Show Them That.”

September 20, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Kay Goke

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Banking Social Media Marketing and Customer Care

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

Full time

How long have you been working in this career field?

4 years, the longest I’ve been with the same civilian employer.

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 the flexibility. My boss is super understanding and supportive of my husband’s service and when I need off. I also like that our company has a lot of former military like myself. It makes the transition easier.

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

I applied online and got an entry level position with my company. I started at the bottom and have been promoted 3 times in the 4 years.

I work hard and show my employer that despite the chances of my husband getting orders, I can surpass obstacles and think out of the box.

I also lack a college degree. So I have to work twice as hard as anyone else to be taken seriously. I am currently full time at my job as well as a full-time student at an online university.

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

Don’t shoot for jobs you’re not qualified for, that just leads to disappointment. If you have to start at the bottom, do it. Get your experience.

How do you feel about failure?

Failure isn’t an option. I literally mean it. You work for a reason, people likely count on you. Just because something doesn’t work out today doesn’t mean it won’t tomorrow.

I’ve been through some tough situations being a female with the military and corporate America, everything always has worked out for the best even if it didn’t feel that way at first.

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

The biggest challenge is working for past employers who aren’t supportive of needing time off for deployment homecomings and things of that nature.

Once an employer threatened to fire me. I went and found another job. I started after taking a few days off with my husband.

Also, the transition from military to civilian employment was hard. But it’s possible. I think it’s made me stronger in my civilian career and helped since I don’t have a degree.

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

Don’t underestimate yourself. You get offered a salary, don’t be scared to counteroffer. You know your worth, show them that. If they say no, consider taking the job and proving yourself.

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

Oh, wow…everyone in my life! They all give me great advice!

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

Yes. My husband does the yard, his laundry, and we rotate kitchen duty. He does the kitchen more during school semesters.

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

I try to do all my phone conversations on my Bluetooth in the car. I’m traveling to or from work and talking to my daily contacts. Then when I’m home, I can focus on my other tasks.

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

My laptop.

Favorite app for making the most of your day?

Notes…yep, pretty basic. It keeps me organized.

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Cumbia Anthem by El Dusty

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

I would get more time at the gym. I recently lost 48 pounds and I’d like to lose about 45 more.

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

To be able to do everything at once and never get tired!

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 form.

“Never Let Someone Tell You That You Can’t Do Something.”

September 13, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Renee Tokach

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Customer service support/medical

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

Full time

How long have you been working in this career field?

20 years

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

Medical office

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

Having a work family

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

Resume and a PCS move

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

Don’t give up and make sure all things on your resume are up to date.

How do you feel about failure?

No one likes failure, but sometimes it happens. You just have to get up and push forward.

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

Moving so much. A lot of places don’t want to invest in a military spouse knowing that nothing is ever permanent.

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

Never let someone tell you that you can’t do something.

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

My husband. He supports everything I do. I am also his biggest supporter.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

Yes, every Saturday we clean the whole house together as we listen to music.

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

Planner

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

80s music

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

Take time for me

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

To freeze 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 form.

“Everyone Is Traveling With Their Own Story And I Get To Be A Part Of It!”

September 6, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Rylie Brown

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Flight Attendant

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

Full Time

How long have you been working in this career field?

7 months

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

I work in the sky!

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love the amount of people I get to meet. Everyone is traveling with their own story and I get to be a part of it!

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

Resume. It has always been a dream job of mine, so once I found the airline I wanted to work for I got to work of perfecting it!

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

Don’t limit yourself because of your husband’s career, follow your dreams also.

How do you feel about failure?

It’s there to push you toward something better.

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

Having completely opposite schedules from my husband.

The first couple months I started flying I was based out of Dallas while we lived in Arizona. I did not get to come home much which was a big adjustment from what our family dynamic was used too.

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

Best: Don’t let your husband’s career, hold you back from your dreams

Worst: Stick it out with a job even if you are unhappy

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

My spouse. He really stepped up on taking care of our home, paying bills and remembering schedules. He pushed me to follow my dream even if it meant being away from him sometimes. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without him.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

We do. If one of us has a busy week, the other will pick up some slack. However before I go on a trip we always get the house cleaned. It makes it easier on him when I’m gone.

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

Have the house cleaned before a busy week. When everything else is chaotic, coming home to an organized house is a breathe of fresh air!

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

Ereader, I use books to pass the time

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

Google Music

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Would You Go With Me – Josh Turner

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

More laundry, seems I can never catch up!

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

Probably to read minds, just so I could help everyone without them having to ask.

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 form.

“I Was Stuck In A Horrible Corporate 9-To-5 That Didn’t Appreciate The Flexibility Military Spouses Need.”

August 30, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Audrey Fairbrother

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

I am the marketing manager for Worldwide101. We are a 100% remote premium virtual assistant company with VAs all over the U.S. and Europe. I’ve loved working for this company and they love hiring military spouses because they truly appreciate the remote, flexible lifestyle that the company offers.

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

Full-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

7 years

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

Telecommute, work from home

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love the company culture. I had a wonderful opportunity to go to the UK and meet with the rest of our company management team during a bi-yearly retreat. Everyone is so kind and truly believes in creating a win-win environment for our clients and our team members!

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

I was stuck in a horrible corporate 9-to-5 that didn’t appreciate the flexibility military spouses need. I found this position through FlexJobs, applied and started as a virtual assistant. Three years later, I was promoted to marketing manager for the company.

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

Flexibility over ALL ELSE! Our lives are so unpredictable as military spouses. You need to find a career that really understands and allows you to flex your schedule and location around your life and the needs of your family. Remote work is a fabulous option. It removes the obstacle of having to start over in a new job every few years with each move.

How do you feel about failure?

Failure is just another lesson to learn. I’ve failed quite a few times in my career searches. But you can’t give up. When you find something that really fits, you realize why none of those other positions you applied for worked out.

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

As I mentioned above, mainly just finding a job that allowed for flexibility! My husband is Army Special Forces, so deployments are sudden and often unplanned. If I need to take a day off to spend time with him before he leaves for 6 months, I want to be able to do that.

If I need to work flexed hours to make sure I can be there for our daughter when he’s gone, that’s important to me.

If I can get the same quality of work done from wherever we happen to be it’s important to me to work for a company that understands and supports that.

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

The best piece of career advice I’ve ever received is from my dad. He said “Never use ‘It’s just business’ as an excuse to screw someone over.” I love this. It reminds you to be kind and fair over everything else in your career. It’s never steered me wrong.

The worst advice I’ve ever gotten was from an ex-boss who really did encourage employees to “be the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night if you want to get ahead.” I disagree with this with every fiber of my being. Exhausting and overwhelming your employees will not make them happier or more productive, offering them work-life balance will.

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

My husband is amazing. He really supports me in my career in anyway he can. Whether it’s picking up and dropping off our daughter at daycare everyday, doing the bath and bedtime routines with her when I have to finish up for the day or just being a sounding board for my ideas, I absolutely couldn’t do it without his support. He appreciates and understands the sacrifices our family makes for his career and he does everything he can to return the favor.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

We split them! Cleaning, laundry and cooking are really my areas of expertise, and working from home gives me more time to do them.

He’s great at fixing things around the house, making sure the trash is out on trash day, handling paperwork and making sure our daughter’s room is “monster-free” at night. When he’s home, he’s really a 50/50 parent with me which is truly wonderful.

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

Crockpot meals are a lifesaver. I’ve found some amazing ways to cook anything and everything in the crockpot! Set it and forget it. It gives you tons of time at night if you’re not worrying about what’s for dinner.

Also, I use Walmart’s online grocery ordering and pick-up. I haven’t had to step foot in a grocery store in over a year. It’s AMAZING. But even more so when you don’t have to haul an almost 2 year old with you! And it’s FREE!

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

My laptop obviously! Working remotely, your laptop is your office, so I treat it like the gold it is.

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

Slack! It’s amazing for quickly IMing co-workers. It gives me alerts throughout the day so I know if there is something that needs my attention immediately.

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Lord Huron – She Lit A Fire. It’s so upbeat and fun.

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

Probably exercise. I always try to work it in as best I can. We live in Colorado Springs currently, so I love to run along the gorgeous mountain trails. But somedays, it takes a backseat. I’d love to make it more of a priority and it seems doable with an extra hour a day!

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

This probably sounds odd, but I wish I could emit Wi-Fi (Only remote workers will understand this haha!)

I have the ability to work from anywhere, so I love traveling and taking my work with me. But sometimes finding good Wi-Fi poses a challenge. If I could use this as my superpower, I’d work from the tops of mountains and boats in the middle of the ocean. I know it sounds like a strange super power, but that’s my wish.

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 form.

“You’re Constantly Balancing Home And Work Because You Can’t Tag Team With Your Spouse While They Are Physically Unavailable.”

August 23, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Traci McCombs

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

I am a management analyst at the National Institutes of Health.

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

Full-time

How long have you been working in this career field?

4 years

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

Work from home

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I get to work on unique projects that support the NIH Office of Human Resources mission to recruit and retain a highly skilled and diverse workforce.

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

My husband and I were fortunate enough to be stationed in D.C. for 4 years. The longevity of his fellowship assignment allowed me time to obtain a MBA from American University. Through a network of college friends I applied for an intern position at the NIH that grew into the full-time GS position I hold today.

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

Know your strengths and don’t be afraid of self advocacy.

How do you feel about failure?

I feel failure can only hurt you if you refuse to acknowledge it and learn from it. It’s a great opportunity to trust in God’s plan.

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

The work-life balance of a military spouse is always challenging. I would say having a deployed husband with a newborn baby was a true test. You’re constantly balancing home and work because you can’t tag team with your spouse while they are physically unavailable.

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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 from a book. I really enjoyed reading Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” It applies to all aspects of life.

I heard once to be dishonest on a resume about the length of certain jobs you held. I think any type of dishonesty on a resume or in an interview is a bad start to any career.

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

My husband motivates and encourages me to pursue my career goals. He is good at lifting my spirits when I face a challenge. My best friend is very successful in the private sector so I always go to her for ideas and motivation. She gets my creative juices flowing. I go to my mom when I just need someone to listen to me complain. (Moms are amazing!)

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

That is an ever evolving dynamic. We are in limbo between homes and we are learning how to be a family of 3 instead of 2. In a few months I am sure my answer will change again. The key is that we both do what we can when we can. There is no score.

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

I have a unique situation working from home. I try to be organized and active throughout the day. I try not to sit or stand at my desk for more than 45 to 60 minutes without a break. To keep my mind active I might grab a healthy snack, put in a load of laundry or unload the dishwasher. These quick 5- to 10-minute breaks help me decompress and regroup.

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

Baby monitor!

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

Nike Run App

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

I honestly enjoy playing Enya or David Lanz during my workday.

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

Devote more time to updating my blog Road2Motherhood or write more.

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

The ability to function with no sleep. I could get so much more done!

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 form.

“Find What You Love And Become Good At It.”

August 16, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Iwona Tanen

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Yoga teacher and 575 Yoga Studio owner

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

Full time

How long have you been working in this career field?

3 years

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

Both

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

I love teaching yoga because I love student-teacher interaction. Meeting new people who inspire me to be better at my job and hopefully I have an impact on their wellness too. I believe that yoga is not for the flexible, it’s for the willing. Anyone can do it, as long you know how to modify poses to your needs.

I love being a studio owner because it taught me so much! I learned how to be more assertive, speak my mind and have difficult conversations with others. I love creating a space where people can relax but also be themselves, just as they are.

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

I started working at the studio shortly after it opened. It was previously owned by another military spouse, Geri Hall, who was a yoga teacher, and wanted to make a difference in our community.

A year after opening the studio, Geri had to PCS to Florida, and approached me about buying the studio. I accepted. I have been the studio owner since May 2016.

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

Networking and Airmen & Family Readiness Center. I found my first job in Clovis through AFRC and I found my yoga teaching job through networking and meeting people.

How do you feel about failure?

I like to think about failure as a life lesson. It is something you can’t avoid but if you can learn from it, you will grow as a person.

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

Lack of opportunities in small, remote military bases. But if you can’t find it, create it! See the opportunity not the lack of.

There was no yoga studio in Clovis when I moved in here, and now we have a yoga studio, and growing yoga and wellness community!

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

Find what you love and become good at it.

Who is in your support squad (i.e. spouse, neighbor, bff) and what role do they play in supporting your career?

My husband is my best supporter and biggest fan. He supports my efforts to be independent and have career on my own.

My friends are an incredibly important support system, especially when my husband is deployed. My family, although far away, provides much needed comic relief and great advice.

Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks?

Yes, we split household tasks. If I cook, he would clean after dinner or if I would do laundry he would vacuum etc. Teamwork.

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

For saving sanity: meditation and yoga. My meditation practice makes me calm and centered. My yoga practice and workouts make me feel strong and capable.

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

Meditation Studio App and Spotify App

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

Flawless by Beyonce

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

I would like to read more.

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

Teleportation. I would love to teleport myself to see my family and friends. My family lives in Poland and I have friends all over the world and it would be the easiest way to keep in touch.

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 form.

“Do Not Let The Job Requirements Turn You Away If You Are Under Qualified. Apply Anyway!”

August 9, 2017 By NextGen MilSpouse Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Name: Amy Shick

Years as a military spouse:

Tell us your job title/profession:

Director of Community for MILLIE

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

Part-time (+/- 30 hours per week)

How long have you been working in this career field?

3 years

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

Telecommute from home.

Tell us one thing you love about your job.

The flexibility to be there for my family.

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

I started a company with another Army spouse in 2014. It was acquired by another new veteran-founded company and now we are all building MILLIE together.

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

Do not let the job requirements turn you away if you are under qualified. Apply anyway! Any lacking job skills can be taught but resourcefulness, ingenuity, flexibility, resiliency and honesty are character traits all employers are looking for that can’t be taught. If they are willing to interview you, you have a chance. Impress them with your confidence and independence.

How do you feel about failure?

Failure equals learning opportunity. We all fail, even daily, but if we choose to learn from our failure we have an opportunity to improve and better ourselves.

Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

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

Our move from Alaska to Florida! Checking out of housing, moving into an RV with 3 kids and a dog for a week, flying to California and driving across the entire United States coast to coast proved to be very difficult. I traveled twice for work during those 5 weeks. Once to Portland and another to Florida. I attended as many meetings and continued to work whenever I had internet access.

It was tough balancing it all but I did what I could. I would remind myself this is a tough time and I am not perfect and I don’t live in a perfect world.

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

The best career advice I have received is that there will always be opportunities if you are putting yourself out there.

Who is in your support squad (i.e. spouse, neighbor, bff) and what role do they play in supporting your career?

My closest supporters my husband and my business partner, Lauren. My husband is completely calm and nonemotional. He gives great logical and strategic advice. Lauren and I have worked together for so long that even when the continent divides us she knows what I need to hear.

Whether it’s a sounding board for a new idea or a second set of eyes on a new process I’m creating or something I’ve written. We balance each other out and have different skills which lends well when working together.

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

Yes! He currently has a position that allows him to help take kids to and from sports practices which is amazingly helpful. He also helps whenever I ask. Since he travels a lot he usually needs a little prompting but is always happy to help. We divide and conquer on chores and tasks.

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

My best life hack is the Walmart Online grocery shopping. I order it online and my husband picks it up after hockey practice on Wednesdays. It has been a sanity-saver and time-saver.

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

Slack

Favorite app for making the most of your day?

Wunderlist

Must-have song on your productivity playlist?

I’m boring. No songs. I love to listen to podcasts. My favorite is NPR’s “How I Built This.”

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

Yoga or workout

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

Flexibility

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 form.