Name: Michelle
How long have you been a military spouse? 17 years
Tell us about how you got to where you are in your career.
As a Navy wife for nearly 17 years, it has taken me almost that long to start my career. My husband and I married young, and I finally finished college four years in and graduated 8 months pregnant with our first child! Moving shortly after graduation and only being at our next duty station for 9 months,I didn't even try to find a job.
So, several moves, two more kids, and many volunteer positions working with children later, I got a job as a part-time educator at a nature center. My youngest was in kindergarten, and with my job being part-time, I was able to be home to help with the newest transition.
A couple years later, it all came full-circle, as my degree is in environmental science. I started helping with land management and habitat restoration, doing prescribed fire, trail maintenance and planning. Then, I was hired full-time as a restoration biologist, using my degree (earned 12 years before), the knowledge I had about the ecosystem, and the outreach skills I had developed over years of public speaking and being an educator.
Not your typical college to job transition, but all of the things I did between college and starting my career helped move me forward, even if I didn't realize it at the time. Being a Scout leader, youth sports coach, and spouse club officer helped me gain experience in a wide variety of areas.
What one piece of advice do you have for military spouses starting on their professional journeys?
I want to encourage all military spouses to stay engaged with their chosen field and to apply seemingly non-related activities to your career when military life gets in the way. You don’t know what’s going to be helpful in your future career.
Has your career been like Michelle's? Join us on social media to talk!