Editor’s Note: Give us your lawyers, your accountants, your massage therapists. Give use your teachers, your engineers, your real estate agents.
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: Emily Lappat
Years as a military spouse: 1
Tell us your job title/profession:
I currently work for USO World Headquarters as a Program Management Specialist in the Washington, D.C. area.
I work on a dynamic team that designs programs that support transitioning military members and their families globally. My background is in management consulting, I have worked for major firms like Deloitte and Booz Allen Hamilton.
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?
Office
How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.
I have always been very competitive and a go-getter when it comes to my career. I decided to go to graduate school to earn my master’s degree full-time while working 40+ hours a week right after I earned my bachelor’s degree.
Networking, exuding confidence and leveraging resources like professional connections have launched my career.
I have never been afraid to put myself out there, which has in turn landed me my dream job at the USO helping service members and their families at a very high level.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?
Staying focused while my husband is away is challenging for me. I miss him so much when he is gone and it is hard not to check my email and phone constantly. Reminding myself that he is OK and staying focused can be tough.
Tell us one thing you love about your job:
I love that my job supports service members! The work I do allows me to feel very connected to the entire military community and make a difference.
Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week:
I am such a morning person! My husband usually has to report to post at 0500 for physical training. I also schedule my gym time at 0500.
By going to the gym before work and starting our day at the same time, we are able to enjoy the evening together. I value my evening time more than anything because we are able to cook dinner together and discuss our day.
Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?
Yes, we are equal partners when it comes to household tasks. I love doing laundry and my husband loves cleaning the kitchen. We also enjoy doing things together like cooking.
Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without:
My iPhones
Favorite app for making the most of your day?
I am always in my Outlook webmail and calendar ap
Must-have song on your productivity playlist?
Hall of Fame by the Script
What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?
Being a military spouse is an asset not a deterrent. I speak with a lot of military spouses who are apprehensive to go after their dream job because they know they will have to PCS.
Don’t let a future PCS keep you from reaching your goals and going after your dream job.
Demonstrate that you are the best candidate and that being a military spouse makes you stronger and more valuable. Once you get your foot in the door at an organization you love and work hard, you will be amazed by the opportunities to come.
