Military Spouse Leverages Strengths to Create Successful Career

Military spouses have loads of resilience, drive, loyalty, and dedication. Yet they face unique challenges in the workplace: relocation; deployments; disparate earnings; unemployment and underemployment.

Use Your Strengths

Ingrid Marthy had a promising career as the regional director for a major solar energy company when she met her husband, U.S. Army Captain Stephen Marthy. When a move forced Marthy to pivot in her career path, she quickly learned to adapt to make the best of every situation.

Despite not knowing anyone at their new duty station in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Marthy quickly built a professional network of military spouses, local employers, and military family resource organizations. These connections paid off when she was hired as a part-time bilingual program consultant at the Women’s Business Center of Fayetteville, an organization that supports women starting businesses.

The role was a perfect match for Marthy’s business education and background, her love of teaching, and her language skills. She quickly ascended to become the director of the Fayetteville center, where she served until her husband’s next PCS move.

Today, Marthy continues her work in the non-profit sector. She advises women and military spouses on how to become entrepreneurs and create their own paths.

Use Your Network

Marthy encourages fellow military spouses to network and push past any self-imposed limits. “Don’t be afraid to try new things, meet new people, and challenge yourself,” she said. “So many great opportunities are waiting just outside of your comfort zone.”

Use Your Resources

Help is at your fingertips. Take advantage of all the resources available to help you meet your professional goals, including:

RecruitMilitary’s Military Spouse Employment Resource Center

This one-stop shop has everything you need to jump-start your job search. The site offers advice for your resume, networking and interviewing tips, upcoming Team Transition events, career fair registrations, and more.

By Chris Newsome