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Military spouses likely face challenges that make it more difficult to maintain a steady career trajectory. These challenges might come from moving to a new duty station, caring for your family while your partner is away, dealing with changing schedules, deployments, or other situations that lead to cycles of career breaks, job loss, job searching, and re-employment. Navigating career transitions is one more task added to a life already fraught with responsibility. The way spouses adapt to change and navigate the rebuilding process can shape how they view themselves, their career outlook, and military life as a whole.
Research shows that many military spouses experience career struggles. That’s why my goal is to share what has helped me get through these transitions, so others can make it through as well. I won’t focus on technical aspects, such as improving your resume or cover letter. HigherEdJobs and HigherEdMilitary already have great resources for those topics. Instead, my focus is on building mental and emotional strength to stay balanced, protect yourself, and secure the right role for you. So, from a milspouse nearing the end of a nine-month re-employment process in higher education, here is a page from my playbook.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Navigating Career Transitions in Higher Education
Don’t: Let a job define you.
Do: Anchor your identity and sense of self in who you are as a whole.
Try not to measure your success or worth based solely on your career. Work is important for many reasons: financial stability, personal fulfillment, and opportunities to utilize knowledge and skills. However, a career shouldn’t be the only thing that shapes your identity. For career-focused individuals, this can be hard to embrace. However, military spouses juggle roles and duties that are all work. Take time to recognize the other ways you support your family, friends, and community, and celebrate your achievements in those areas. Remember, you are so much more than your job.
Don’t: Stay in a fixed mindset.
Do: Embrace a growth mindset.
What sets the two apart is mainly how you view your ability to grow and improve your skills, talents, and qualities. Maybe you missed some typos in your cover letter and only noticed after you submitted the application. Maybe an interview didn’t go well, or you’ve faced rejection. Even when you face mistakes or challenges, having a growth mindset during your job search means staying persistent and seeing chances to improve. To build a growth mindset, see setbacks and rejections as learning opportunities and focus on what you can do better next time.
Don’t: Be defeated by or internalize the “no.”
Do: Respond with resilience.
When you spend time and energy on applications and interviews, only to be rejected, it can bring up a lot of emotions like anger, frustration, and confusion, especially if it keeps happening. It’s normal to feel upset, but try not to stay there for too long. Bouncing back from rejection can be tough, but you must push through those tough moments. It’s also important to understand that higher education is a great career field, and you’re likely applying for competitive and limited positions. Military spouses are known for being resilient; keep moving forward toward your goals.
Don’t: Fixate on what you lost, where you think you should be, or what others are doing.
Do: Set realistic goals and stay adaptable.
Your past does not have to define your present or your future. Change can create a desire to return to how things were: to a previous job, institution, modality, or routine, even when they no longer fit your current situation. Maybe you once had a role that was higher on the organizational chart and don’t want to “start over.” Focusing too much on the past can keep you stuck in roles that are not right for you or stop you from finding something better. Comparing yourself to others can also hold you back. In higher education, it is easy to get caught up in titles and ranks. However, you must set career goals that make sense for your life as a military spouse. That could mean working part-time, serving as a guest lecturer, or taking on an administrative role, even though you are used to leadership roles. Explore jobs related to your past experience, but also be willing to try something new. You might be surprised at the outcome.
Don’t: Let the job search consume your time and energy.
Do: Create a plan and stick to it.
The cycle of updating your resume, writing cover letters, submitting applications, and interviewing can feel never-ending and lead to burnout. It’s important to act with intention, especially given the short application windows common in higher education. Make a clear plan so you can work smarter, not harder. Decide how often you want to search for jobs and how much time you’ll spend on applications each day. Focus on sending strong applications rather than as many as possible. Sign up for alerts on HigherEdMilitary and HigherEdJobs and keep up with institutional sites, and put out feelers in your networks. Take breaks when you need to and, most importantly, remember to make time for other activities you enjoy.
Don’t: Settle for a role that doesn’t align with your needs.
Do: Trust your instincts.
Pay attention to any red flags and don’t try to force a situation that doesn’t feel right. Trust your gut; if something feels off, it probably is. Remember, you should be evaluating the institution just as much as they are evaluating you. Think about whether the role and the organization truly fit your needs. Consider goal alignment, chances for growth, and support for work-life balance. Proactively ask about flexibility, workload, expectations, turnover, and related topics. Keep your expectations realistic and stay open-minded but also remember that you have a choice in this process too. You deserve a role that is a good fit for you and supports you as much as you support it.
Don’t: Neglect yourself in the process.
Do: Practice self-compassion and mind your inner dialogue.
Above all, take care of yourself. Job searches in higher education can be long, competitive, and taxing. Be kind in the way you speak and think about yourself during this time. Try not to let frustration affect your self-talk. Looking for a job can be tough, and being overly critical of yourself only makes it harder. Allow yourself some grace, patience, and understanding.
From one milspouse to another, I encourage you to stay the course. Recognize the career transition process as something you don’t merely have to survive through, but can thrive in. Trust the journey and know that what is for you will not pass you.
