Introducing: Military Women and Spouses, Careers and More!

Life Of a Military Spouse

As many of you may already know I am a Military Spouse. What many of you probably do NOT know is how hard it is for Military Spouses to find jobs. Whether it be from lack of a college degree or the simple fact that companies don’t want to hire someone who will likely move soon. Now, of course, they can not say that but it’s known in the Military community that this is common. With that being said I have decided to start a segment on my blog featuring Military Women and Spouses and their careers! My hope with doing this is that it may inspire some of you to go out there and go after your dreams, don’t let the simple fact that we move often deter you from your aspirations!

I’m going to start by sharing my story! Each month I will be featuring a different woman, ranging from professional cheerleader to author to woodworker and many more! So make sure you come back to check out our new friends each month!

As I said I am going to start with me… in the form of an interview, I will now share my journey!

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Military Women and Spouses Interview…

/1/ Tell me a little bit about yourself?

I grew up as a Military child moving all over the world! I loved my lifestyle and I am thankful for the experience every day!

When I was in high school I told myself no matter what I was going to get and finish my degree. This was very important to me because I always wanted to have my own career! And I did that! I got my degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State then moved up to Atlanta not long after! Because I graduated in December, I knew I would likely struggle to find a teaching job right away. I did not let this discourage me from applying for teaching jobs though! I also applied to pretty much every daycare in the area!
Long story short, after working in 2 daycares and an afterschool program I finally got lucky! A friend of mine who was teaching in the area reached out about a job opening at her school. Not long after I was interviewed and hired to teach 1^st grade! I loved my coworkers and students but after 2 years I knew it was time to move on. (As a military brat it’s kind of a curse to feel the need to move every 2-4 years)
Around this time I met my now-husband who was en route to a deployment. My plan was to travel until I found a place I loved… (check out my travels here) well he was going to be headed to Alaska after deployment so that ultimately became my choice destination and where I would continue teaching.
You can check out more about my time in Alaska here!

/2/ How did you meet your spouse?

Melvin and I met through a mutual friend! He added me on Instagram and it was a very QUICK story of falling in love through phone calls and text messages. We met when he came to Atlanta to visit family for Christmas and as he was headed off to deployment. We spent every part of 10 days together before he left. Meeting family, spending his birthday together, going to the movies, attending a Falcons football game and so much more. We fit everything we could into those 10 days and by the time he left, we already knew we were it, we were each others person, and I would most likely move to Alaska.

/3/ What is your favorite and least favorite thing about being a military spouse?

My favorite thing about being a military spouse is getting to visit and explore new places. Even though I moved to Alaska unaccompanied (not married, therefore not associated with the military) I got the opportunity to see and explore so many beautiful places! From Denali to Fairbanks, from Alyeska to Seward, and everything in between! I also picked up snowboarding with Melvin, and hiking and biking local trails!

My least favorite thing would be the “goodbyes”. Saying see you later to the friends you make and the students I had watched grow is very hard. But with that, I always tell myself you never know when you might see someone you know again! And this has happened to me literally my whole life, running into old friends in new places!

Military Women and Spouses Interview Cont.

/4/ How did you get started in your career/business?

I shared above how I got started in my career overall, but once I got to Alaska I didn’t stop. Honestly didn’t think I would get a job, but I applied to a few and landed a (close to my dream) job! I got hired to teach 1st grade once again at one of the schools located on base! My dream has been to teach on military bases overseas, but this was pretty darn close. I would say my perseverance and setting my mind to certain goals have taken me a long way!

/5/ What is your favorite part of your job?

I do not teach currently, a personal choice. We moved, I had Moose, and we moved again all within 2 years! Although I am not currently teaching my favorite part of the job will always be seeing the kids light up when they learn something new. And knowing that I can provide a safe and encouraging space for them while they are in my classroom!

/6/ What advice would you give a new military spouse? A new spouse wanting to start a business/career?

GO FOR IT! Don’t let anything stop you! If you have to take online classes or start new colleges every year to get your dream job, do it! And don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it! When employers seem like they might be on the fence because you are a military spouse, tell them and show them that you ARE worth it and you WILL be someone they are happy to have hired! You are your own cheerleader and you’ve got what it takes!

I hope that this start to my Military Women and Spouses Segment is something you will come back and stick around for! I have some really fun and exciting women I will be working with and can’t wait for you to hear about their careers! This is something that is close to my heart and I hope to encourage everyone in some way through this!

If you are or know a Military Women or Spouse who you think would be fun to interview leave me a comment below! What are some other questions you would like to ask about the military community?