Life as a military spouse can be full of changes — and sometimes those changes can make you step back from working. Maybe you just moved and are busy settling in. Maybe you just started a family and want to spend more time with your kids. Maybe you just finished school and you're trying to figure out your place in the workforce. Or it could be as simple as realizing your job just isn't the right fit for your family.
While you figure out what's in store for your future employment, volunteering is a great way to stay active in your community on your own terms. With a little foresight and thought, you can plan your volunteer activities in a way that can help you find a paying job when the time's right.
Find out how volunteering can help with future employment and where to start.
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What are the benefits of volunteering?
You can get real skills while volunteering, and if your goal is to get a paid position, it's possible to do so through volunteering. Here are a few key benefits and how they can contribute to career planning:
- Learn new skills and build on existing ones.
- Get valuable experience in different fields.
- Improve your leadership and teambuilding styles.
- Network with potential employers or references.
- Get access to formal training and attend conferences.
- Gain personal satisfaction and confidence.
How do I decide which volunteer opportunity is right for me?
Knowing your short-term and long-term goals and what you can reasonably undertake can point you in the right direction. Use these three tips to start your search:
- Be realistic about the time you have to give. Think about your circumstances and don't make a commitment you can't keep.
- Don't be afraid to try something new. You won't know if an opportunity is a good fit unless you try it out, so consider going outside your comfort zone. You might discover your next great passion.
- Think about your goals. You don't need to have it all figured out just yet, but choosing a volunteer opportunity that fits with your career ambitions can get you on the right track.
How do I find volunteer opportunities?
Be proactive when searching for work that matches your interests, goals and circumstances. As a military spouse, you have plenty of resources, so take advantage of them.
- Check out installation resources. Your Military and Family Support Center is a good place to start. Ask if there's a volunteer coordinator or a list of open volunteer positions both on and off installation.
- Look into unit resources. Your spouse's unit might have some good volunteer opportunities. Check with the unit chaplain or chain of command.
- Search online. Start with your service's family support websites, and then extend your search to your surrounding community to see what's out there.
- Seek out an organization. Organizations that traditionally use volunteers, like the American Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity, are almost always looking for more help.
- Volunteer your skills. If you have a special talent or skill, you can volunteer to teach a course or give a presentation.
- Find a mentor. Check out the Military Spouse eMentor Leadership Program to connect with someone who's been there and understands the mentoring process.
- Be a mentor. Use the same program to be a mentor yourself.
- Search through Joining Forces. This initiative, launched by former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, is a great place to search for projects serving the military community.
- Follow your passions. Is there a cause that's particularly near and dear to your heart? The more passion you bring to your volunteering projects, the more fulfilling they can be. Figure out what drives you, and find a way to make a difference in the movement.
What if I live overseas?
Get
your resume ready for future opportunities.
Even if you live in another country, there are still many options for volunteering. Try these leads to get started:
- Check with your installation. Just like stateside, the volunteer coordinator at your installation's Military and Family Support Center is a great resource.
- Teach English. If you live in a country where English isn't the native language, volunteering as an English language instructor could be a promising option.
You never know what the future holds. But if you think a new career is somewhere on the horizon, volunteering can be a great first step that lets you build up your resume while making a difference in your community.