Spouse Tip of the Week - What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?
Source: Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) Weekly eNewsletter
At first glance, you might think this is a funny question to be asking of a military spouse. After all, you're already "grown up." But, not so fast. Think about it. Adults make many transitions throughout their lifetimes. And career interests and transitions are no exception.
How old you are when you make a career choice makes a big difference. What you are interested in during high school may be very different than what you are interested in during your early twenties, which may be very different than what you are interested in after you have raised your own children. Work-life experience, community service, relocation, deployment, personal finances, children, and post secondary education all play important roles in shaping your ultimate career path.
Before plunging into a career decision that requires additional or specialized training and education, be sure to do more than just think about what is "interesting" or take a few career interest tests (which are still good ideas). Take time to do some serious exploring – including talking with people in your career field of interest and researching the potential for finding jobs that pay a living wage in regions where you will most likely be living as a military spouse.
By doing research and meeting seasoned professionals in your field of interest, you will quickly find out that the same job pays different wages in different parts of the country. This makes a difference when you are considering how you are going to pay off educational loans you may need to finance the training and education required to practice in your chosen profession.
The Department of Labor's Career OneStop website is a great resource. It has the latest data and forecasts for salaries and benefits for career fields in regions across the United States. And the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has an online tool being developed by the Department of Education that shows you how to compare financial aid packages offered by different types of schools that will help you make the best possible career and educational loan package decisions.
So, before you decide what you want to be when you grow up – throughout your life – seek good advice from trustworthy sources. For example, if you are a one hundred pound female interested in becoming a firefighter, you probably need to know that you will have to pass a course in "ladders" during which you will carry a person heavier than yourself down out of a burning building on a ladder. Could you or would you be able to do this? It would be helpful to talk with an experienced firefighter and a career or educational counselor before you invest in a course of study that will give you the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to become a firefighter. If the physical demands seem too much, maybe becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or a dispatcher would be a better choice. These careers still have the work satisfaction and thrill of helping others in lifesaving situations without the physical demands of climbing ladders.
Final thoughts. There are many careers that are exciting and satisfying, but as a military spouse, you need one that is portable. Choosing a career that will most likely have job openings at future duty stations is important if you are going to live a successful mobile military lifestyle. Once again, talking with a mentor (preferably another military spouse), an experienced professional or educator in your field of interest, and a career counselor will be well worth your time and effort.
To find such individuals, call Military OneSource at (800) 342-9647. Ask to speak with a Spouse Career and Educational Consultant. This trained professional can brainstorm with you, and give you referrals, resources and career advice that will help put you on a path to portable career success.
Also, check out military spouse blogs and pose your career and education questions to other experienced military spouses. Spark a good online discussion and stand by to learn more about reality and job opportunities in military and civilian communities worldwide. Use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn are great ways to leverage the power of the military communities and related professional networks to help you accomplish your career and education goals.
Finally, check out the spouse employment and career services, articles and job opportunities available through these Department of Defense websites:
www.MSEPJobs.org – Job openings with military friendly employers
MyCAA website -- Financial assistance for eligible military spouses pursuing portable careers, licenses, credentials and associates degrees
Military OneSource – Spouse Career Center resources and counseling services for career exploration, career readiness, training and education, and career connections
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