What job opportunities exist for spouses of military veterans?

I’m considering joining the military, but I'm also curious about how this could impact my future family. What job support exists for the spouses of veterans, and are there particular industries where they're more likely to find employment?

While there are no guarantees per se, rest assured that there are numerous programs specifically designed to assist military spouses with employment and career development. One such program is the U.S. Department of Defense's Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). This program works with hundreds of companies committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouses. The partnered employers range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and span various industries such as healthcare, education, government, and finance, among others.

Additionally, there's a number of initiatives like the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship program that provides up to $4000 in tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. This can be used for obtaining professional licenses, certifications, or Associate's degrees in high-demand, portable career fields, further improving employability.

Spouses of veterans may also find opportunities in federal government jobs. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provides non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs for some military spouses. This can simplify the process of getting a federal job and allow the spouse to bypass some of the competitive processes.

As for industries, keep in mind variables like the availability of remote work, prevalence of short-term contracts, and the necessity of re-certification that can make it more suitable for the transient lifestyle of military families. Education, healthcare, and IT are examples of industries known to offer flexible work arrangements, including remote and freelance opportunities.

Keep in mind that gaining stable employment may be more about transferability of skills and adaptability, especially if frequent relocations are a part of your life as a military family. Thus, working on the development of a wide variety of useful skills— particularly ones that are highly transferable—can be incredibly valuable.