Melissa
For many military spouses, finding a job at your new duty station is a headache that comes with every PCS. But what if you know you are only going to be at your next duty station for six months? Or only one year? Should you still try to find a job? The answer to this question is as unique as the military spouse asking it. You may feel guilty taking a job from another spouse that will be there longer, or you may feel like you are cheating the employer by having them train you only to find you are moving again by the time you really know your job. Then again, your family may need the financial peace that a dual income household provides, or maybe you don’t want that long of a gap in your resume. One way to help make the “to work or not to work” decision is to make a list of the pros and cons.
Pros to Working
One pro to working, even if for a short time, is extra income. Maybe your family is trying to pay off some bills or save for the future. Not working for six months or a year could mean that your family is taking a huge financial hit. Also, if you are lucky enough to find a position while you are at a short-term duty station, it will help your resume not look like Swiss cheese with large employment gaps. You will also stay active in the workforce and maybe even pick up a few new skills to help you with future employment. You never know, your new job could lead to long-term portable employment. Plus, having a job can lead to friendships and more networking contacts for when you do move.
Drawbacks to Working
Ask yourself if it is really worth it to find a job and work only a few months before moving. How will you explain such a short employment stint on your resume to future employers? Is it really fair to expect your employer to spend so much time and money training you only to up and leave without really giving them a good return on their investment in you?
Pros to NOT Working
If you do not work, you can take this time to focus on school, a hobby, or other personal development. Many spouses in this situation use this “break” from the workforce to throw themselves full force into a volunteer position for an organization they have always been interested in helping but haven’t had the time for in the past. Not only will this keep your business skills sharp, but it can actually look great on a resume! Also, if you are only at a duty station for a short amount of time, it is more than likely that your spouse is going through some intense training. This means longer hours at work, and that means you, as the spouse, will need to pick up the slack. It can be difficult to manage a job, children and other responsibilities while your spouse is not at your disposal to help out. If you don’t have a career to manage in the middle of this hectic time, you may find yourself less stressed.
Drawbacks to NOT Working
You might find that you feel bored or like you lack self-purpose. If you are used to working, you may miss the brain stimulation that a job provides (as frustrating as your job can sometimes be). You may also miss the camaraderie that the workplace can provide. If you work in a fast-paced, always evolving career field, not working in your industry, even for a short amount of time, may set you back when you go to find employment again. Something else to consider: what if your spouse gets extended or permanently stationed at your location and your short six-month tour turns into three years? How will you feel about being behind on the job search?
If you ever find yourself trying to decide if you should work or not, I encourage you to consider your own personal pros and cons in order to make the best decision for you and your family. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to whether you should seek employment at a short-term duty station. Only you know your personal situation and only you can make the decision.
I believe the military needs to do a better job when PCSing families. Example: If there are 2 Soldiers of the same rank, and that rank is needed in a new unit, a working spouse should be looked at. The Soldier with no working spouse, or single should be moved first. Moving a Solider with a working spouse, not only effects the income of that family, but of the employer (who now needs to hire a new person and train them – costly), also it has far reaches economically, from the money the spouse puts into the community, to loss of tax revune at a local, state and federal level. I currently have been working 2 years at an outpatient clinic (I have 20 years under my belt in Occupational Therapy) I dread the thought of PCSing.. for the reasons stated above, but also the effects it will have on my patients who I have grown to love, and vice versa. PCSing shouldnt just happen because… it should be a educated move, and taken seriously from a governmental stand point. I have recently written to the First Lady and General Martin E. Dempsey about this. It can take a professional, such as myself, months to secure a new position, secondary to licensure laws. Anyway thats my 2 cents
I completely agree with the statement that you have to weigh your own pros and cons. Essentially, it comes down to knowing what is best for you and your family. Prior to starting my own business, I had to deal with this struggle. Sometimes, however, it can take 6 months to find and land the job you truly desire, which means that you are leaving before you even start.
My advice to clients is that it never hurts to look, to apply, or even to interview. If you are offered the job, you can decide at that time if it is a fit and also talk about your concerns or questions. If nothing else, going through the job application process is great practice!