Event Partner
Executive Sponsor
School?
Work?
career
on the move
2013 MOAA MilitarySPOUSE SYMPOSIUM
A professional development conference for all military spouses.
On a Mission
to Serve
TriWest Healthcare Alliance is a proud sponsor of
“Keeping a Career on the Move”
and supports the national commitment to
help military spouses, Service members and
combat veterans find employment.
1-888-TRIWEST H TriWest.com H facebook.com/TriWest H twitter.com/TriWest
1
welcome!
February 8, 2013
On behalf of the 380,000 members of the Military
Officers Association of America (MOAA), I thank you for
attending our 7th annual Military Spouse Symposium—
and our first in the great Pacific Northwest. I hope you
will find today’s program helpful in your personal and
professional life.
We are pleased to partner with the University of Washington Tacoma for today’s
program, “Keeping a Career on the Move.” This collaboration with MOAA sends a
clear signal that there are significant challenges facing military spouses who want
to start or continue a career. Our work together also highlights the many public and
private organizations who want to support military families. I hope you leave today
with practical information you can use now and are encouraged about the efforts
underway to improve your opportunities.
I welcome your feedback about this event and any suggestions you have for topics at
future programs. You can reach me at president@moaa.org or our military spouse team
at moaaspouse@moaa.org.
We are grateful to TriWest Healthcare Alliance for their second consecutive year
as the executive sponsor of the MOAA Spouse Symposium and to the University of
Washington Tacoma for supporting this day.
Again, thank you for attending, and thank you for the important role you play in
support of your spouse, your family and in the workforce!
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
VADM Norb Ryan Jr., USN (Ret)
President
2
sponsors
executivesponsor
eventpartners
goldsponsor
friends ofMOAA
Military Kids Day of Play Sponsored by
3
table of
contents
Welcome Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.
Agenda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Session Descriptions and Biographies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.
Local Supporters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
This program was designed by a military spouse, visit www.whatifdesigns.net.
4
agenda
Welcome
VADM Norb Ryan, Jr. USN-Ret., President
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Emcee
Mike Schindler
CEO of Operation Military Family
Employer Panel
“Five Things Employers Want You to Know”
9:15AM – 10:25AM
Guest Speaker: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
Breakout Sessions I
10:45AM-11:45AM
Breakout Sessions II
(Working Lunch)
11:55PM-1:10PM
Spouse and Policy Panel
Do education and employment policies and programs work?
1:20PM – 2:50PM
Close
Scott Celley, VP External Affairs
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Stella & Dot Giveaways
Special Features
8:30AM – 4:00PM
5-minute Resume Critiques
Professional LinkedIn photos*
*exclusively for Premium and Life members of MOAA,
members of Voices for America’s Troops and their spouses.
5
speakerbios
Welcome Address
VADM Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, President, MOAA
VADM Ryan is a 1967 graduate of the United States Naval
Academy, a graduate of George Washington University, with
a Master of Science Degree in Personnel Administration, and
the Senior Officials in National Security Program at Harvard
University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Ryan has
commanded aviation units at the squadron, wing, and fleet levels
and has directed the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs. He served
as the 52nd Chief of Naval Personnel before retiring and assuming his current position
in September 2002.Admiral Ryan was named as the 2010 Association Executive of the
Year by Association TRENDS, a national trade publication. He is the first military officer
to win this award in its 32-year history.
Emcee
Mike Schindler
Navy veteran, former software executive and currently CEO of
Operation Military Family, Mike is a guest writer for several national
publications, author of the book “Operation Military Family” and
“The Military Wire” blog. He is also a frequent contributor on FOX
Q-13 as well as a popular keynote and workshop speaker who
reaches thousands of service members and their families every
year in an effort to enrich and strengthen the military relationships.
His book, Operation Military Family, endorsed by Gen. Tommy Franks and Pete Chiarelli,
continues to be a sought-out resource by licensed professionals and military families
across the United States.
Closing Speaker
Scott Celley, VP External Affairs, TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Scott oversees the communications, government relations
and marketing activities of TriWest. He has more than 20 years’
experience in the government relations and communication
arena, including service as a Senior Advisor to both federal and
state officials. He received the Armed Services YMCA’s National
Spirit of Giving Award in 2011. He’s a National Board Member and
Communications Committee Chairman of the Armed Services
YMCA; a Board Member for Operation Homefront; and Board Member, Audit Committee
Chairman and Political Action Committee member for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of
Commerce. Mr. Celley earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from
George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon.
6
session
descriptions
Five things employers want you to know
What does a hiring manager look for in a resume? What mistake should every
military spouse avoid? How much should you share about your military life in
an interview? From a panel of employers, learn the top tips for landing a job
as a military spouse.
Moderator:
Dr. Jill M. Purdy, Associate Professor of Management,
University of Washington Tacoma
Jill Purdy is an Associate Professor of Management in the
Milgard School of Business at the University of Washington
Tacoma. Dr. Purdy’s interests focus on interactions between
business, government, and nonprofit organizations, and the
institutional pressures that shape the way organizations evolve. She teaches
classes in management, negotiation, integrated systems, and governance. Dr.
Purdy holds a Ph.D. in Management and Organization from the Pennsylvania
State University.
PANELISTS:
Eric Engquist, Executive Director of Military Transitions, USAA
USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is
among the leading providers of financial planning, insurance,
investments and banking products to members of the U.S.
military and their families. In his capacity, Eric is responsible
for leading the team to develop solutions for members who
are facing a transition in their military careers, whether it be PCS, deployment,
or separation. Eric began his career at USAA in 2005 and has held a variety of
positions in marketing and operations. Prior to joining USAA, Eric served our
country in the Army as an Infantry Officer, in units both within the U.S. and
overseas, and deployed to Macedonia, Kosovo and Iraq. He holds a Bachelor’s
Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and received
his MBA from the University of Texas, San Antonio. Eric and his wife, Kimberly,
a retired Army Non-Commissioned Officer, have three daughters – Fallon,
Addison, and Harlow – and reside in Canyon Lake, Texas.
7
Ann Marie Hawryluk, Military Relations Manager,
Amazon.com, North American Fulfillment Centers
Ann Marie Hawryluk works directly with military veterans and spouses to bring
their unique skills and experiences to Amazon. Amazon is a well-recognized
home for military talent, with the Military Talent Program and Amazon earning
the distinction of Military Friendly Employer of the Year for 2012 by GI Jobs
Magazine. Ann Marie is from Maryland, graduated from Wake Forest University
and completed Navy Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL. A former Navy
officer, she served over 10 years as an EA-6B Prowler aviator and officer recruiter
and continues to serve a Navy spouse.
Kimberly Parker, Employment Readiness Manager,
Army Community Service Joint base Lewis-McChord
Prior to assuming her current role, Kimberly spent seven
years as the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator for Fort Hood,
TX. There she oversaw one of the largest volunteer forces in
the Army, launched the Volunteer Management Information
System and became a leading expert on the system. She
began her career working for the Army as the public relations coordinator
for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation in Fort
Hood, TX in 2000. Ms. Parker spent thirteen years as a military spouse and
dedicated herself to the Soldiers and Family Members who serve the nation.
She served as a Family Readiness Group Leader for ten years. During this time,
Ms. Parker experienced multiple cycles of deployment and re-deployment
and lead with determination and compassion the Families through four yearlong tours. A native of Olympia, WA she has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass
Communications from Central Washington University and is currently working
on wrapping up her M.B.A. at Seattle University.
8
Five things employers want you to know (cont)
Heidi A. Snell, Chief of Staff & Director,
Wittenberg Weiner Consulting
Prior to joining WWC, Heidi was an Internal Business
Consultant in Human Resources for nonprofit organizations
and the private sector, focusing on executive performance
management, organizational development and employee
relations. After a move to Italy with her spouse, a Navy
civilian, Heidi began working with WWC as a consultant to Navy Region
Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, where she led the transition to a performance
based compensation system for over 700 Navy civilians in Italy, Spain, Greece,
Bahrain and Djibouti. Heidi obtained two M.A.s from University of Oklahoma
in International Relations and Human Relations, holds a B.A. in International
Business from Western Washington University, and a graduate certificate in
Strategic Human Resources Management from the University of Washington.
Heidi is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management and enjoys
travel, studying Italian language and running.
Mick James, Equal Opportunity, Starbucks Coffee
Mick James is a former Marine Corps Air Defense Officer
currently working as a manager in Equal Opportunity
at Starbucks Coffee in Law and Corporate Affairs. His
primary focus is supporting Starbucks Coffee’s affirmative
action outreach; coaching the organization for outreach
to veterans and individuals with disabilities. Mick began
as a barista and became a store manager, managing
multiple stores prior to becoming a district manager in
Seattle. Following his retail experience, he transitioned
to the Starbucks Seattle Support Center in U.S. store
operations prior to joining the Equal opportunity
team. Mick is the President of the Starbucks Armed
Forces Network and serves on the board of directors
for Hire America’s Heroes. He is a Seattle native and
graduated from Western Washington University in
Bellingham WA.
9
Résumé Writing and LinkedIn Strategies
for Military Spouses
Room : Phillip Hall
Every successful job search requires a market-ready resume and an appealing
LinkedIn profile that showcases your greatest strengths. Whether you are
preparing to step-up to the next level of responsibility, planning your career for
military moves, or re-entering the workforce following an extended absence,
this seminar will cover the basics of resume development, with an emphasis
on addressing resume gaps and showcasing your greatest strengths and
proudest boasts as succinctly as possible. In addition, you will be introduced to
the best practices for dealing with phone interviews, and we’ll conclude with
recommendations to maximize the ability of your LinkedIn profile to support
your self-marketing plan.
Presenter: Jim Carman
Director, Career Transition Services, MOAA
CAPT Jim Carman, USN (Ret) served in the Navy
for more than twenty-four years and attained
the rank of Captain in November 1993. During
this time he served three years in the Executive
Office of the President as Assistant National
Security Advisor to the Vice President. After
leaving active duty, Jim initially served as a flight
officer with American Airlines and later as a career
and talent management consultant with Right
Management. He also led a career management
consulting practice based in Washington, D.C.,
where he mentored hundreds of clients through
career transition. Jim has also earned graduate
degrees in national security studies and business
management and completed the Senior Executive
Training Program at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology’s Sloan School of Management.
He joined the Military Officers Association of
America in 2012 as Director, Career Transition
Services where he supports service members
and military spouses with career strategy and
resume development.
10
Education Options: What you need to
know about funding and picking a school
Room : GWP 216
Get the basics on what factors to consider when applying for financial aid,
contact information about scholarships, how to compare award letters, and
what to consider when completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Student
Aid). You’ll also receive guidance on how to search for colleges in Washington
State. Finally, you’ll learn about the cooperative connections between the
public 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities. Learn how to efficiently
complete a 4-year degree - in 4-years!
Presenter: Wanda Curtis, Admissions Advisor/Recruiter, UW Tacoma
Wanda has been working with new students at UWT for nearly 15 years. An Army
veteran, she helps students transfer into UW Tacoma and specializes in helping
active-duty military, veterans and military spouses. She lives in Olympia.
11
The Dollars and “Sense” of
Working Outside the Home
Room : GWP 212
This seminar walks you through a common sense approach evaluating the
financial and non-financial pros and cons to working outside the home, including
analyzing how much you will really bring home after all your expenses.
Presenter: Monique Rizer, Deputy Director, Spouse Programs, MOAA
Monique Rizer grew up in the Northwest and holds a 2001 BA (With Distinction)
from Gonzaga University and a 2003 MS from Syracuse University. Monique
is among the first class of Gates Millennium Scholars, a full ride academic
scholarship program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition to
working in marketing for a top 100 accounting and consulting firm, Monique
has served in several areas of military family support. As a family readiness
group leader she was awarded the Commander’s Award for Public Service.
Additionally, she has worked in development with the National Military Family
Association (NMFA) and as a writer with several military organizations and
publications including NMFA, Military Spouse Magazine, GI Jobs magazine,
Vetrepeneur magazine, and the Wounded Warrior Project. She also has been
published in the Chronicle of Higher Education as well as three writing instruction
textbooks, and is a certified instructor of the career development workshop,
Dependable Strengths. Monique joined the Military Officers Association of
America in 2010 as the deputy director of Spouse Programs.
12
Your 30 Second Commercial: How to work
a networking event or career fair
Room : Carwein Auditorium, Keystone
Networking events and career fairs are an important element when looking for
a job. But you only have about 30 seconds to introduce yourself and describe
your career background. Career fairs are an even more focused step: They are an
opportunity to meet with representatives of some of your targeted companies
and also to meet recruiters from smaller, less well-known companies where
employees often acquire a wider range of experience and have more influence
on the organization. This workshop will provide tips on creating your 30 second
commercial, review the best practices for presenting your resume to a corporate
recruiter, and discuss ideas for having a balanced conversation that connects
your skills, experience, education and passion with the employer’s needs.
Presenter: Patricia Cole, Deputy Director,
Career Transition Services, MOAA
CAPT Patricia Cole, USN (Ret) served 30
years in the U.S. Navy in a wide range of
command and staff assignments in the
United States and overseas. Her various
duty assignments included tours at
the Naval Network Warfare Command
in Norfolk, VA; as ACOS for C2 Systems
and Policy for FIFTH FLEET in Manama,
Bahrain; Fleet Information Systems
Officer for SEVENTH FLEET in Yokosuka,
Japan; and Special Assistant for Diversity
to the CNO in Washington, DC. She was
designated an Information Dominance
Warfare Officer in October 2010. CAPT
Cole retired in February 2012 following her
last assignment as Commanding Officer,
Naval Computer and Telecommunications
Area Master Station Pacific in Wahiawa,
Hawaii. She joined the Military Officers
Association of America in November 2012.
CAPT Cole holds a BS from the U.S. Naval
Academy in Annapolis, MD and an MS in
Space Systems Operations from the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. She
is the Deputy Director, Career Transition
Services (TOPS) at MOAA.
13
Spouse and Policy Panel
Moderator: Amy Bushatz, Military.com
Amy Bushatz is the managing editor of Military.
com’s spouse and family blog, SpouseBuzz.com.
An Army wife and mother of two little boys, Amy
has worked for newspapers around the country
covering a variety of topics and issues ranging from
local governments, to Capitol Hill, to anything and
everything military. Like many military spouses,
Amy pursued distance education, and has her B.A. in
communications from Thomas Edison State College.
She is currently stationed with her family at Fort
Campbell, Ky., but dreams of a forever home in the
Pacific Northwest.
Military Spouse Panelists
Michele (Missy) DiCiro has moved 34 times.
Growing up, those moves were for her father’s
civilian career, though he retired from the Air Force
when she was an infant. She has been married to
Torrey DiCiro for 14 years and been through nine
moves and deployments, even being evacuated with
her children from their home in Bahrain in 2004 with
nothing more than a suitcase. Missy holds a degree
in Psychology from Florida State University, and also
studied accounting and statistics at The University
of Richmond, and education at The University of
Georgia. A former Vice President for Prudential,
Missy now uses her business skills to run a home
based business as an artist. Her items are sold in
boutiques and directly to other military spouses.
She is passionate about motivating independence in
others and is a Facilitator for the Army Family Action
Plan and an instructor for Army Family Team Building.
14
Military Spouse Panelists (cont)
Chris Pape is an award winning videographer with
more than 15 years of industry experience developing
educational videos for public schools, large corporations,
small businesses and state governments. A 1995 graduate
of the University of Cincinnati, he holds seven Telly
Awards (2003-2011), two Addy Awards (2005-2007), two
State of West Virginia Media Awards (1999-2000), and one
educational award in 2007 for the Academy School District
20 in Colorado Springs, CO. A military spouse for 10 years,
Chris has had three military moves, two deployments,
countless TDY’s, six job changes, one career change that
quickly brought him back to his original career, and a few
months of un-employment in between. In 2004, Chris
was able to start and run a successful small business,
Christopher Allen Productions, that unfortunately didn’t
survive his 2008 PCS from Colorado to Arkansas. He is
now the creator and owner of Macho Spouse, a fun multimedia education site built to assist the nearly 187,000
men struggling to find male-specific support within the
military family community.
SGM Launa Klimowicz (Ret) enlisted in the Army at the
age of 17. Initially Launa served as a communications
specialist for the Army Reserves. In 1986 she transferred
to the National Guard and became a recruiter. After seven
successful years enlisting hundreds of soldiers into the
Pennsylvania National Guard, Launa was selected to serve
at National Guard Bureau Headquarters in Washington
D.C. On short notice, Launa deployed to Kuwait to
serve as the National Guard Retention Sergeant Major
within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) theater
of operations. While in Kuwait, initially assigned under
Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC),
she traveled extensively throughout the combat zone
and subsequently developed a successful retention
program and instituted systems still used throughout
that area of operation in Afghanistan. Launa also served
as the first Senior Enlisted Advisor for National Guard
Affairs to the Commander, Third U.S. Army. She aided in
further developing the noncommissioned officer corps
and the role of women serving in armies such as Jordan,
Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Upon retirement she was
awarded The Legion of Merit. Launa resides with her
husband, Douglas E. Brown, who is still serving on active
duty at Joint Base Lewis McChord.
15
Program and Policy Experts
Karen Golden, Deputy Director Government Relations, Military
Family Issues, MOAA
Karen has more than a decade of experience working on
Marine family readiness programs and more than 20 years as
a military family volunteer. Most recently, at Camp Pendleton,
CA, she served both as a family readiness assistant and as a
representative for the National Military Family Association. As
a former social worker and educator, she has held a variety of
positions working with military families. She is the recipient of
the Army’s, Outstanding Civilian Service Award and the Navy
Marine Corps Relief Society’s Superior Service Award. She holds
a BA from Bradley University and an M.S.W. from the University
of Illinois at Chicago. Karen lives in Montclair, Va. with her
husband, Col. Bob Golden, USMC, and their three children.
Mark San Souci, Regional State Liaison
Mark retired in 2005 from a military career that included Army
enlisted service, and over 22 years as an Air Force officer.
Since 2005 San Souci has served as the Regional Liaison
for the Northwest (WA, AK, ID, and OR) within the Defense
State Liaison Office for the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness on key quality of life military family
issues. Prior to his liaison work, Mark served as a career
aircraft maintenance officer and commanded three Air
Force squadrons that maintained Presidential and strategic
airlift fleet, providing humanitarian and other vital strategic
resources worldwide. A native of Providence, Rhode Island,
San Souci has an MA in International Relations from Webster
University, and an MA in National Security and Strategic
Studies from the United States Naval War College.
Rosalinda Maury, Director of Research, Institute for Veterans
and Military Families, Syracuse University
Rosy has managed and provided research support to senior
scientists for studies and projects in the public and private
sectors surrounding employment. She has extensive experience
in survey development and world wide data collection, and
has been responsible for developing, implementing and
managing surveys for data collection on the large and small
scale, for organizations including VAnalytic, Metrica, U.S. Coast
Guard, U.S. Air Force and Texas State University. Previously, she
worked with the Coast Guard’s Occupational Analysis Surveys,
was involved in the Air Force Security Forces Job Compatibility
Assessment Tool. Maury holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees
in psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
16
MOAA PRESIDENT’S CURRENTLY SERVING
spouseadvisory
council
MOAA’s Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council is a diverse group of active duty and reserve
component spouses who represent the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. This
council acts as an advisory group to our President as well as a focus group for MOAA departments.
Their feedback and observations are a valuable part of our spouse programs.
Why you should apply
The Council is an opportunity for you to
impact MOAA programs, which reach 370,000
officers, plus their families - as well as the
entire military community. You’ll network
with local spouses from different services
and participate in special events such as the
annual Spouse Symposium, Storming the Hill
and more.
Diversity Wanted
Our Council members have been everyone
from writers to volunteers to dual military—we
welcome your diverse experiences—including
male military spouses, and reserve and guard
representatives. Past members include Tanya
Biank, author of “Army Wives: the Unwritten Code
of Military Marriages” which was the basis for the
Lifetime show “Army Wives.”
Locally based
Council members serve one year terms and live in the DC Metropolitan area so they can commit
to the four meetings during the yearlong tenure.
See what happens when military
spouses storm Capitol Hill.
Follow on Twitter @MOAA_
MilLife #storming2013
To learn more visit
www.moaa.org/spousecouncil
local
supporters
17
Any event of this size and scope does not happen without the support and resources of
many people. Thank you to the local community for making this day possible for the
military spouses of the Pacific Northwest.
Patty Barron, Director, Family Programs, Association of the United States Army
Patti Brown
George Carghill, TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Stephanie Clark, Coast Guard Family Association
Kelly Cotton, MOAA Spouse Ambassador
Roz Johnson
Lindsay Baldwin, Ombudsman, Navy Region Northwest
Chris Piper, Her War Her Voice
Mike Schindler, Operation Military Family
Mike Wark, University of Washington Tacoma
Career on
the Move
Profiles
18
We asked a few spouses how they managed
work and military life. Here’s what they said.
Honorable Erin Wirth, Administrative Law Judge, USCG Spouse
Chameleons who easily adapt to their local environments, despite unexpected or
frequent military moves, will stay the course and flourish in productive careers, says
The Hon. Erin Masson Wirth. She is an Administrative Law Judge for an unnamed
federal agency in Washington, D.C.
“
Her tip for keeping a law career going during her 14-year marriage to Coast Guard
Commander Kevin Wirth?
A good reputation starts with candor from day
one. Always be very upfront. In your cover letter
say, ‘I’m a military spouse.’ Give an honest answer.
One time when I interviewed, I knew it would be
less than a year that I would stay, and I was still
hired. The other thing is that if it’s not a good fit,
it’s not a good fit. Don’t take it personally,”
She and Kevin also have a 9-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl.
“I have looked for jobs that accommodated my family’s needs. I’ve taken lower paying
jobs and turned down work that wouldn’t be compatible with what our family wanted,
particularly when (Kevin) was stationed on a ship. That goes into the equation,” Judge
Wirth says.
“I try to be flexible. I try to be positive. I’m very honest. And I just work really hard.”
19
Leona Sachrison, Merrill Lynch, USMC Spouse
Leona knew that her job interview hadn’t gone well. So she took a step that other
applicants might not consider: She asked the company for a second chance to show
she was the right person for them.
That’s all it took, and since then, she’s benefited from a family-friendly corporation
that for 15 years has accommodated her needs as a mom and geographic moves as a
military spouse. She is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Alexandria, Va., and has
been with them since 1997.
“They probably hired me because I showed courage. If I hadn’t called them back, I
would never be here today,” she says.
A Marine spouse of 23 years and mom of two, Leona encourages other spouses to be
fearless and flexible. “I definitely took positions that may not have been as challenging
or fit the degree that I had, but in my role, I could learn the industry from all different
perspectives. They weren’t big, serious, salaried high-end jobs, but for me, when I
look back, it gave me the proper perspective of an industry that I decided I loved,”
Sachrison says.
“
She advises other spouses to not think about careers in the traditional sense.
The way I pursued employment and my career
was perfect for our family. Everybody has their
own idea of what will fit well with them. There
is not a cookie cutter approach or one way to
do it. Just make sure you’re flexible. Be fearless
and courageous,” she says. “Choose
your attitude, because there is so
much to overcome. We choose to
be positive and make the best of
the situation.”
20
Patty Barron, AUSA family programs
At one time in her career, Patricia M. Barron was juggling four jobs simultaneously. She
was a multi-cultural program coordinator at Fort Myer, a Hearts Apart coordinator at
Fort Belvoir, a part-time deputy director of government relations at National Military
Family Association … and she was managing a sales team of 20 women for Longaberger
baskets. There was one common thread, however: She never pigeon-holed herself into
one thing. “I’m a trained nurse, and I thought I wanted to be a therapist,” Barron says.
“I’m not doing any of those things and never have, but the skills I learned in nursing
and communicating with people have helped me understand people. These skills have
been enormously helpful to me in areas where I’m not strong, because I have no formal
business training or management training.” Her husband retired in 2011 after 30 years
of service in the Army. Her career eventually led to a position as the director of youth
initiatives for the National Military Family Association where she ran the Operation
Purple program, which provides free summer camps for military kids. Now she heads
family programs for the Association of the United States Army.
She advises spouses to think of their career in terms of three
building blocks: The first is to find your strength and the ways to
build on it. The second is about deciding what opportunities
you are willing to pursue. And the third is attitude.
“
Don’t buy into the ‘Poor
me; I’m an Army spouse
and never will have a
career’ mindset. It can be
done just not always like
you expect.”
Visit www.moaa.org/spouse
for more profiles like these.
Plus, watch for a new MOAA
military spouse career guide
debuting this year.
Tell your friends and
family how they can
support our Troops.
voicesfortroops.org
1-877-775-6001
Even if your friends and family are not eligible to join MOAA, they can
still support our military – that’s what Voices for America’s Troops is
all about. Voices is a subsidiary of MOAA, and it’s for anyone who wants
to support the men and women who fight to protect us. Together, we
can speak out for a stronger military.
www.moaa.org
MOAASpouse
@MOAA_MilLife