Hiring Our Heroes and the Military Officers Association of America are hosting a full day Keeping a Career on the Move Military Spouse Employment Symposium at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Monday, Sept. 24, at the American Lake Conference Center. The event is free and open to all military, veteran, and Gold Star spouses. Servicemembers and veterans are also welcome.
According to Elizabeth O'Brien, Director of Military Spouse Programs, events like this are a very beneficial opportunity for military spouses. "Our Spouse Symposiums place subject matter experts, in the form of employers, directly in front of military spouses, providing a platform for them to educate and inform attendees on current employment trends and opportunities. Symposiums uniquely support both currently employed military spouses as well as those seeking employment. For those currently employed, we offer opportunities to hone the skills useful in creating opportunities for career advancement. For those seeking to enter the workforce, we offer impactful workshops that help spouses develop their elevator pitch, build their networking acumen, and build a resumé to enhance their job search efforts," she said.
The symposium is designed for military spouses who are planning to enter, or re-enter, the work force. It can also help with taking the next step in their professional careers. The event has sessions on what employers look for, how to bring your social media and LinkedIn profiles up a notch. There will be a speaker during the lunch break. Afternoon sessions include a resumé workshop and networking opportunities. Successful career-minded military spouses will share their experiences and experts will be available to give advice on furthering your career.
O'Brien encourages spouses to attend even if they aren't currently planning to enter the workforce. "Data has shown us that resumé gaps and lack of a professional network can have negative impacts on military spouses seeking to establish a meaningful career. We encourage military spouses to invest time and effort in seeking opportunities for growth within and beyond their chosen industry -- regardless of their professional level or employment status -- in order to mitigate the impact these factors on their career development," she said.
Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities. Here are some additional resources for military spouses. The group's website has a suite of digital tools which can help in preparing a website and starting your job search. Visit hiringourheroes.org/digital-tools/. There is also a Military Spouse Professional Network opportunity at JBLM. The group is fellow military spouses who understand the challenges of balancing a career with the military lifestyle, email: jblm@ingearcareer.org or join the Facebook Group, HOH Military Spouse Professional Network - JBLM.
Military Spouse Employment Symposium, 9 a.m., Monday, Sept. 24, American Lake Conference Center, 8085 N. Beach Rd., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Free, hiringourheroes.org/events