AWTR: As a military spouse it is often difficult for me to find a decent job that isn’t something I would have done prior to college (like waiting tables). If I do find something it’s banking or office work and pays only $7.00 an hour. The problem? The locations we move to are remote and smaller cities that just don’t support corporate jobs for nomadic military spouses. I want and need to work but making $7.00 an hour doesn’t justify putting two children in daycare. What advice do you have for me to make a decent living?
MSCCN: This is a great question, one that I have personally encountered. I have to admit that it was a bitter pill for me to swallow going from making over $20 per hour as a Marketing Executive to $7.45 as a part time Test Administrator. I wish there was an easy answer to this question, but there are many factors that will contribute to helping you navigate your career through good times and bad. What helped me get over the resentment and helplessness that I felt, was to separate the emotional from the practical parts of a job search, and address each part separately. I was able to do that by separating my search into three parts. First, I figured out my break even point, second, I developed a career goal, and, last, I changed my attitude!
First, before anyone goes out to work for a second income you have to know your break even point. A good tool I use to determine whether to take a job or continue working is the MSN Money second income calculator.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/personal-finance/calculators/Adding_a_second_income_calculator/home.aspx Run your numbers and you will be surprised by how much you have to make to add extra money to your bottom line.
Second, take time to develop a career goal this is simple all you have to do is finish this sentence: one day I would like to be_____. Then each training and job you take ask yourself if this will help you move towards that goal. Why? You will never get where you want to go if you don’t know. 14 years ago I wanted to become a Corporate Trainer, so every job and class that I have attended over the years was related to my ultimate goal of becoming a Corporate Trainer. It took time and a little creativity but I am now a Training Development Director.
Last, have a little faith and begin to enjoy your journey because it will be over before you know it! I actually changed my attitude from frustration of not being able to get ahead to excitement to tackle something new. I now say the best thing about being a military spouse is that I can change my career every three to five years. Once you open your eyes and heart to the possibilities you will be amazed at what will come.
Please understand, this is a complicated question! I tried to answer it in a short and simple way. For more information or additional help write me. Good luck!
Should your time permit, I’d like to tandem my thoughts regarding a few points made by Amy Rossi within this blog post. This is Deb Kloeppel, President and CEO of MSCCN and MSCCN Pinnacle Foundation. Learning to reinvent your “career self” is truly the key to long-term income potential. Knowing the difference between earning an income and providing long-term earning potential, is crucial when facing the realities of an up-side-down economy.
Obtain the practical skills necessary (soft and hard skills) to earn a continuous
income. Back that up with a business plan which generates a profit from your career passion – and you’ve now secured an ability to provide long-term income potential through-out your entire life.
Example: work in a bank as a new accounts representative or teller to learn
the nuances of banking. Use the skills you’ve just been paid to learn and
begin to write a business plan for the business you’ve always wanted to start.
Whether a for-profit and nonprofit business, you’ve just learned new financial
Skills in a paid setting to place towards your career passion… being your own
boss.
Soft skills are your personality traits used within a business setting. Use your personality in EVERYTHING you do. Sometimes the difference between landing an account and not landing an
account is the personality you place into your business.
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