Transitioning into a military spouse and accountant life was a new world for me. Not only was I learning all the military acronyms, but I was also learning how to write a resume and interview in a new career field.
Little did I know, that there are many resources available to military spouses to help them get ahead in their careers.
If you want to stand out and get financially ahead, keep reading.
1. MyCAA Scholarship program
Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) is a scholarship program that helps military spouses pay for education expenses toward an associate degree or trade. It also covers exam fees for licensure. You can receive up to $4,000 if the active duty member’s rank is E5, O2, W2, or below on Title 10 military orders.
I used it to pay for my CPA exams under the National Association of State Board Accountancy (NASBA). You have to go through a process to receive the scholarship, but there is no requirement to pass the CPA exams using this program. I failed three out of the four parts using the MyCAA scholarship and was not obligated to repay any part of it.
Before applying for the test, it needs to be approved, so start with MyCAA before beginning the NASBA process. A NASBA point of contact was assigned to me and helped me through the application process. It can take up to 60 days to approve the application, so plan accordingly.
Here are the steps you have to go through to get the funding.
- Set up an account in their portal
- Apply with an education training program
- Attend a virtual orientation
- Upload the documents for the program, such as costs, course, and any other requirements.
- Add the school or programs point of contact
- Education Training program
To get started, contact Military One Source by calling their counselors at 800-342-9647.
You may also be interested in: How to quickly pass the CPA exams
2. Military One Source
Military One Source is a support system for the military with 24/7 support funded by the Department of Defense (DoD). I have used Military One Source for many resources throughout the years. Here are some of the resources to help make you more competitive in the job search:
- Resume builder tool
- Email your resume and cover letter to get reviewed by a coach at SECOCareerCoach@MySECO.org for feedback. Allow three business days for them to get back to you
- Expert assistance with Career Coaches that can help guide you through your career. They can help with a job search, mock interviews, or figuring out what you want to do.
- Blog articles with tips and advice
I worked with a career coach when transitioning from public accounting to the federal government. It did take me over a month to get an appointment, so I plan accordingly.
She helped review my resume, and we booked a follow-up appointment to do a mock interview. She researched the possible interview questions and gave me great feedback on how to improve my answers.
By the time we did the mock interview, I already finished my actual interview. If you are thinking about it, I recommend calling as soon as possible because it does take some time to get in. You can call 800-342-9647 to get started.
3. Military Family Readiness Center
The Family Readiness Center is another system of the program through the DoD. It is a local program offered at a military base. You can find a phone number for your duty station after a quick google search. Give them a call and let them know you need help with your career, and they will direct you to the right person. The resources offered differ base to base, but here are some examples:
- Resume review
- Mock interviews
- Self-help information such as books
You can use the services on any military base regardless of your affiliated branch.
I live in Colorado, and four military bases offer a Family Readiness Center. Two of the Air Force bases could get me in right away, and it took me two weeks to hear back from the Army base.
I was switching into the General Schedule(GS) government world and knew my civilian resume wouldn’t cut it. The coordinator gave me a fantastic book on how to write a federal resume for a military spouse. I read The Stars are lined up for Military Spouses for Federal Careers by Kathryn Troutman cover to cover twice. It had case studies of real military spouses that turned their civilian resumes into federal resumes to land their jobs. The book also walked me through setting up a USAjobs profile.
I created my resume after reading this book and sent it back to the coordinator at the Family Readiness Center to review it. She had me send the job posting I was applying for and ensure my resume would help me get that job. I landed the job and currently work as a GS employee, thanks to her help!
Related: How to finally land a federal government job
4. Hiring for Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) connects service members, military spouses, and veterans with programs and events in the local area.
There is a meeting group available in fifteen states. I am in Colorado Springs and meeting with the Military Spouse Professional Network. It’s a group of wonderful spouses that help support each other through our career and job search.
There are different programs in each area, such as fellowships or job events in addition to the network program. Check out what is available in your location here.
Stand out in your career!
There are many resources for military spouses starting or transitioning their career. The financial assistance, resume review, and mock interview could be an extra boost to make you competitive. Most importantly, connecting with other military spouses through networking has been excellent.