Best Career Paths for Military Spouses

My partner is in the military, and I'm exploring career options that fit our lifestyle. What are some good jobs or fields for military spouses that offer flexibility or support? I'm open to suggestions that align with frequent moves and deployments.

Your partner's military career imposes some unique circumstances that you'll need to navigate in terms of your job. Here are some fields that tend to work well for military spouses:

1. Remote work: Fields like tech, marketing, or customer support often offer remote job opportunities that you can do from anywhere. These are becoming particularly prevalent in the wake of the pandemic.

2. Freelance work: Becoming a freelancer or self-employed can also afford a lot of flexibility. Whether it's freelance writing, graphic design, or even tutoring, these jobs can easily be uprooted and moved without a loss of business or clients.

3. Education: If you're interested in teaching or working within a school district, these jobs can be found virtually anywhere and typically have a clear job description and requirements that don't vary too much from state to state. Knowing you have a broad set of locations to choose from can offer peace of mind.

4. Healthcare: Diverse roles in this field such as nursing or allied healthcare professions (physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) can be stable choices as there is demand for these roles everywhere. If direct care is not your thing, consider health administration which also transfers well.

5. Social work: Military bases and their surrounding communities often need social work professionals to help service members and their families navigate various challenges.

6. Government jobs: Many jobs within the federal government are often ‘transferable’ because they can relocate their employees to different offices as needed.

While considering these fields, you may also want to take advantage of resources designed for military spouses, like the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), which connects spouses with employers committed to supporting military families. Also consider online training platforms and programs like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or even online university courses which allow flexibility and can help you pick up new skills at your own pace. And, of course, don't forget to tap into networking opportunities offered through the military community.

Remember, many of these professions require specific training or education, so consider your skillset, experiences, and interests, and how willing you are to go back to school or get extra training. The key is to be adaptable and find something you love doing. Best of luck with your career exploration!