REINVENTION
So, I began figuring out how I was going to “reinvent” myself and my career.
I reached out to my undergraduate college and went through a battery of skills assessments. Being the analytic that I am, I made a spreadsheet that listed the type of work I would like to pursue, the required and suggested credentials to do it, the cost to obtain the credentials, and the job outlook as forecasted by the Department of Labor.
After graduating from college, I taught English in Japan for two years. Fort Leavenworth hosts many international soldier students, so I volunteered for ACS (Army Community Service) to teach English to international soldiers’ spouses weekly during the school year. I also volunteered at the VA in human resources for a few months before they hired me on a short-term temporary appointment to help source doctors.
Shortly thereafter, my husband headed to Afghanistan. I changed location yet again, but embarked on another volunteer opportunity that led me to my current position with CASY-MSCCN.
REALIGNED EXPECTATIONS
Looking back, I realize that I had to go through the process that I did to be able to move forward. I had to grieve the life and the job that I lost in order to be receptive to opportunities I may not have entertained previously.
Looking at my resume or LinkedIn profile, some may say that I “settled,” but I consider it a realignment of my priorities. I was fortunate to have the support of my husband emotionally and financially to be able to contribute to my military community as a volunteer, which also helped me to utilize and develop skills and experience.
I am currently contributing in a capacity that I find personally rewarding and professionally satisfying. While being a military spouse can be very frustrating at times and professionally challenging, I have never doubted for a minute the decision I made to marry my husband and ultimately gain a new and never dull way ahead.
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