I'm planning to marry someone in the military, and I'm concerned about my career opportunities. What kinds of at-home jobs are available for military spouses, and are there programs that help spouses find these jobs?
As the partner of someone who is serving in the military, there can indeed be unique career challenges but also many opportunities. It's great that you're looking into this ahead of time. The good news is that there are plenty of at-home or flexible careers that work well for military spouses.
To start with, you might consider remote jobs that can move with you, such as becoming a virtual tutor, working in customer service or sales, editing or proofreading, or being a virtual assistant. If you have specialized skills, you could also consider options such as web or graphic design, medical coding and billing, or freelance writing.
Additionally, there are a number of programs designed to support military spouses in finding and maintaining employment. For instance, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) has a job portal where military spouses can search for remote work and companies committed to hiring military spouses. The Department of Defense's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program is another resource that can assist you in career planning, education, training, and licensing, among other supports.
Additionally, some military spouses have found success in starting their own businesses. This can range from selling handmade products to offering consulting services in your field of expertise.
As you explore these opportunities, remember that what will work best for you may also depend a lot on your current or desired qualifications and skills, as well as your individual interests and work-life balance requirements. Good luck!
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