Military Spouse Career Transitions Overseas

Navigating a career transition and working overseas presents unique challenges for military spouses. How can you start, maintain, or find a career while living overseas with your military family?

For a start, check your credentials. Some professional licenses and certifications may not transfer to a new host country, requiring re-certification, which is time-consuming and sometimes costly. Local embassies, consulates, professional organizations, and online resources offer valuable information in this area.

And what about your options to work for a company you don’t physically report to? Not all work done in another country is “boots on the ground” and many choose remote work or telework options. Not all career transitions are military-to-civilian. Some happen in the middle of military service or a loved one’s service.

Portable Military Spouse Career Credentials

Do you need to earn or maintain credentials for your career? Some programs can help. One is called MyCAA, or the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship. MYCAA offers qualifying military spouses up to $4,000 of tuition assistance for your education, broken up as $2,000 per year for two years.

Are you relocating from the U.S. to an overseas base? Or are you moving from one OCONUS location to another base outside the continental USA? You may need to brush up on your language skills.

Language barriers can impede communication, even if fluency isn’t required for the job itself. For example, military spouses on base may work with many other Americans. Local nationals, migrant workers, and other help may not speak English at the same fluency level as other employees.

Enrolling in language classes at local schools, universities, or cultural centers and utilizing language exchange programs or online resources can help.

Host Nation Spouse Employment Laws

Many countries have strict regulations regarding foreign spouse employment; securing necessary visas and work permits can involve extensive paperwork and delays. Those in another country as military spouses may have certain advantages.

If you want to work in the local community while your military partner is assigned at an overseas base, consult the nearest military base or consulate to learn about your options under the arrangements between the U.S. and the host nation under their military Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Military spouses living in another country on military orders may not have to endure the same processes that non-citizens without military status do…depending on circumstances. They may also have certain requirements to meet as a condition of employment under SOFA. Contacting the host country’s embassy or consulate early is crucial to understanding specific requirements for non-USA work if you want to work in a job outside SOFA guidelines.

Network and Career Building for Overseas Military Spouses

Building a professional network overseas can be difficult, as established contacts are distant and traditional networking opportunities are limited.

Joining online communities, attending local workshops, and participating in international or expat groups can help. Childcare and family support networks may be absent, requiring reliance on recommendations from other military spouses or local organizations and international schools.

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) assists military spouses in securing and maintaining employment.

MSEP connects spouses with employers and offers job search resources like job boards and workshops. Career counseling options are also available through Family Readiness Centers or MySECO. MSEP partners with employers who understand military life’s challenges and provide flexible work arrangements.

MySECO (Spouse Education and Career Opportunities) provides resources for career exploration, education, and employment. It offers personalized career coaching, education and training information, employment readiness tools, portable career exploration guidance, and online resources.

• Family Readiness Centers (FRCs) offer career counseling, workshops, job fairs, and support groups for military spouses.
• Online resources like LinkedIn, Indeed, and FlexJobs facilitate remote work searches. Freelancing platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru connect freelancers with clients.
• Company websites and social media platforms can also reveal remote job opportunities.
• Portable careers suitable for military spouses include remote-based digital marketing, project management, virtual assistance, writing and editing, graphic design, coding and web development, and consulting.
• Developing strong communication, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving, resilience, and interpersonal skills is crucial for career success overseas.

Effective networking strategies in a new country include online platforms, military spouse groups, volunteering, local community events, professional organizations, informational interviews, and language exchange. Educational resources for skill enhancement or further education include online courses, local colleges and universities, tuition assistance programs, military education centers, libraries, cultural centers, and online learning communities.

Entrepreneurship resources for military spouses include the Small Business Administration (SBA), military spouse entrepreneurship programs, online communities, SCORE, local chambers of commerce, and co-working spaces.

You can also learn more about career transitions in our free guides and resources for military members and spouses.