MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted a Military Spouse Career Empowerment Expo Sept. 17, 2020, for military spouses, here.
The virtual multi-base event gave active duty and retiree military spouses the opportunity to enhance job-seeking skills, gain networking guidance and identify education options.
Invitations to the event were extended to spouses assigned to Warner Robins Air Force Base, Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base and Fort Stewart, and all of their installation employment program managers.
“Spouses are a part of the A&FRC customer base,” said Amy Thompson, 23d Force Support Squadron community readiness specialist. “We feel that it is our duty to keep them connected to community agencies that can help them be competitive, knowledgeable and resilient when seeking employment. This event gives them skills they can take with them as they go from base to base.”
During the event, attendees were provided information on professional development to include resume building and self-branding through panel discussions.
“When I’ve applied for jobs, I often wondered if my best was being represented on paper and if the hiring manager saw my potential from looking at my resume,” said Lindsay Gutierrez, spouse of Anthony Gutierrez, 23d Maintenance Squadron. “The expo helped me to see areas of myself that I can improve and where to focus my strengths when applying for a job.”
In addition to the discussions, attendees were able to engage with Moody experts and ask questions regarding networking and the federal employment process.
“It is important for spouses to have an opportunity to network and gain knowledge to assist them in becoming successful,” said Thompson. “The expo gave spouses a [chance to interact] with base leadership and their spouses, the installation Employment Program manager, and family support agencies that assist with job coaching and creating a social footprint for networking.”
For military spouses, finding long-term employment can be a rigorous task for various reasons, but the event provided tips and methods on ways to make the process less troublesome.
“The expo reassures spouses that each path to employment success is unique,” said Gutierrez. “There’s not a set map to use, but there are ways to set yourself up to have an advantage over other applicants in areas where jobs are very competitive or challenging to find.”
The expo will be transitioning to Fort Polk, Louisiana next.
For more information or assistance with employment opportunities, contact Military OneSource at 800-342-9647.