How does job transfer work for military spouses?

Military life means moving a lot, and I'm wondering how job transfers work for military spouses. Are some careers more flexible than others when it comes to transferring between locations?

Navigating a career as a military spouse can indeed be challenging due to the frequent moves, but there are resources and strategies that can help. Let's break down a few key points:

1. Portable Careers: Some careers are naturally more portable and flexible, making them well-suited for military spouses. Careers in fields like healthcare, information technology, education, and business administration often have opportunities available across various locations.

2. Remote Work and Gig Economy: Over the past few years, remote work has witnessed significant growth. This allows employees to work from anywhere, thereby circumventing the need to physically transfer jobs with each move. Similarly, the gig or freelance economy can provide flexible work options.

3. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): This is an employment and career partnership connecting military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses. Partner employers range from corporations to small businesses and non-profits. They have jobs available worldwide and across various sectors and levels.

4. Transferable Licenses/Certifications: Some states have rules in place that expedite the process for transferring professional licenses or certifications military spouses may hold in industries such as nursing, teaching, or cosmetology.

5. Education and Training Support: The MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification, or associate degree in a portable career field.

6. Job Search Assistance: Entities like the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program offer career coaching services and assistance with resumes and job searches. Many military bases also have family support centers providing similar services.

Portfolio careers, where you build a variety of skills and take on different types of work, could also be a viable option. It allows for flexibility and learning new skills with changing environments. The key is to remain adaptable and network within your community and online to find opportunities for job transfers and new positions. Remember that it’s also okay if your career life is not conventional, and that the flexibility you acquire could lead you to possibilities you never expected!