New Career Mentoring Program Targets Military Spouses

New Career Mentoring Program Targets Military Spouses
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A trusted provider of career mentorship programs to veterans and transitioning servicemembers is accepting applications for a new program assisting active duty spouses in their career exploration – and it couldn’t come soon enough.

There are more than 600,000 spouses of active duty servicemembers, and with frequent moves, deployments, and a lack of portable careers, many of them struggle to focus on their own professional development. In fact more than half of working spouses — 56% — reported they were underemployed in the 2018 Blue Star Families annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

Help is on the way. MOAA is pleased to partner with and support American Corporate Partners (ACP) in addressing this challenge. Leveraging its existing model and proven track record of assisting more than 15,000 veterans transition to fulfilling careers, ACP is now accepting applications from active duty spouses to take part in their first-ever spouse mentorship program. Programs are customized, addressing topics such as networking, résumé development, interview preparation, small-business development, and professional skill building.

(Related: Spouses of MOAA members are eligible for the same level of career and transition-related benefits afforded to members. Visit MOAA’s Transition and Career Center to learn more.)  

Active duty military spouses who have recently relocated, or are considering starting a new career or business, may find it extremely beneficial to connect directly with an ACP mentor. These mentors are corporate volunteers and entrepreneurs with years of experience.

The program opened in late 2018 and is on a first-come, first-served basis. ACP is also recruiting volunteer mentors to assist active duty spouses; visit the program page for more details.

[RELATED: ACP Veteran Mentoring Program for MOAA Members]

Spouses of former or retired servicemembers aren’t eligible to seek mentors under the active duty spouse program, but they can visit ACP-AdvisorNet.org for career guidance and advice from thousands of volunteer mentors.

All military and veteran spouses seeking career opportunities are highly encouraged to attend MOAA’s premier signature networking and hiring event on Sept. 19 at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Click here for more details, including how to register.

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About the Author

Col. Brian D. Anderson, USAF (Ret)
Col. Brian D. Anderson, USAF (Ret)

Anderson joined the staff of MOAA's Career Transition Services Department in August 2011. He served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force in a wide range of command and staff assignments. Connect with him on LinkedIn.