Careers for Military Spouses: Facing Employment Challenges Head-On

Military spouses overwhelmingly report employment struggles, including being underemployed and/or overqualified for the positions they hold. Consider these facts:

• Active duty military spouses faced a steady unemployment rate of 22%, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
• 31.6% of military spouses are employed part time but may prefer full-time work, according to the Military Spouses Fact Sheet from the U.S. Department of Labor.
• In the 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey from Blue Star Families, spouse unemployment is the biggest stressor for service members and their partners.

Frequent moves affect a military spouse’s ability to hold a job or grow their career. Spouses who choose to continue their education to learn a new skill or earn a degree may find it difficult to stay enrolled. In turn, this affects their ability to grow their career and hinders the family financially.

This article addresses high-growth careers that may be a good fit for military spouses.

High-Growth Careers for Military Spouses

There are several growing fields that military spouses may wish to investigate for a possible career fit. Demand in these sectors — as well as other factors, such as an interstate licensing compact and remote work possibilities — may make these good careers for military spouses.

Health Care

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that overall employment in health care occupations will grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Three health care careers that are in especially high demand:

• Nursing. The BLS projects that employment of registered nurses will grow 6% from 2021 to 2031. The interstate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) enables nurses with a multistate license to practice (physically or via telehealth) in any compact state, which is of special benefit to military spouses. Currently, 41 states and territories have enacted the NLC. Learn about earning a nursing degree online.
• Medical assisting. The BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 16% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Learn how to become a medical assistant.
• Medical records keeping. The BLS reports that employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. A medical billing and coding certificate program can prepare you to work in this field.

>>Read More: 4 Health Care Careers You Can Launch in 2 Years or Less

Information Technology

According to the BLS, employment of computer and information technology occupations will grow 15% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Three IT careers that are in especially high demand:

• Information security. The BLS projects that employment of information security analysts will grow 35% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Learn about earning an online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.
• Software development. The BLS projects that employment of software developers will grow 25% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Learn about earning an online bachelor’s degree in information technology.
• Web development. The BLS projects that employment of web developers will grow 23% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. A Google UX Design Certificate prepares you to enter this field.

>>Read More: Resources for Women in Computer Technology

Employment Resources for Military Spouses

• If you are a military spouse who lost your job or are unemployed due to your spouse’s relocation, you may be eligible for dislocated worker funding offered by American Job Centers. Find a center near you.
• The Military Spouse Employment Partnership may be able to help you find job opportunities targeting military spouses.
• The federal government offers a unique hiring path for military spouses. Go to USAJobs.gov to apply for jobs in the federal government using a non-competitive process.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration offers several resources for military spouses who are interested in entrepreneurship.

Purdue Global Supports Military Spouses

Purdue Global is sensitive to the challenges facing military spouses, especially the need to pursue careers that offer remote work or are available in a variety of locations. We offer a flexible online format as well as reduced tuition rates for military spouses.

You may be eligible to apply for a Purdue Global Homefront Education Grant. Exclusively available to spouses and dependents of currently enrolled Purdue Global active-duty, National Guard and Reserve, and veteran students, the Homefront Education Grant offers a reduced tuition rate of $230 per quarter credit hour — a reduction of 38%.

Perhaps most importantly, we offer a leave of absence policy that demonstrates our support for military families who move often. The policy is:

You may take a military leave of absence for a period of up to 12 months. You may also have the option to renew this status one time for up to a total of 24 months of leave; however, if you exercise this option, you will return to the version of the degree program in effect at the time of your return.

>> Learn More About How Purdue Global Supports Military Families

As you explore careers for military spouses, learn how Purdue Global can help you reach your education goals. Request more information today.