College Success
06.05.2023 • 8 min read
Managing Editor
At-home jobs for military spouses are crucial to avoid resume gaps and have a career. We listed our top picks, sites for job hunting, tips, and so much more.
In This Article
In the late 1970s, there was a woman in her 20s attending college near her hometown. But soon her life would change forever.
Her boyfriend was in Germany and had sent her a handwritten letter. It was a proposal. A few weeks later, they were married.
The woman ended up leaving everything behind to live with her soldier overseas in Germany.
Her family. Her island home. Her culture. Her unfinished degree. Everything.
She left all she knew. And a new chapter with a blank page was before her.
Sound familiar? It’s a classic military love tale. (More on this woman's story later.)
Sure, when you marry into the military, new adventures await you—or the apocalypse, depending on your perspective.
But whether you’ve been married to a service member for 20 days or 20 years, one big problem continues.
Spouses are struggling to find work.
Military spouse unemployment was an issue years ago and still is today–12% in 1979 and 21% in 2022.
Your moves, your location, your education, and other obstacles are regular stumbling blocks to a sustainable career.
The solution? Work-from-home jobs for our military spouse community. But how do you navigate getting work virtually? Do you even want to do it?
With over a decade of remote experience as an Army wife, I’ll walk you through all the answers and possibilities.
Finding work is usually what we plan to continue with our profession or ultimately get income. But certain factors of military life get in the way, like frequent PCS moves, TDYs, childcare costs, and deployments.
Some of us actually get a job, but then when it's time to move, we have to quit.
Then there's the lucky bunch—or so we thought—who have licenses from other states and still can't work despite recent legislation. (States are supposed to accept license transfers, but there's no deadline or plan in place yet for how to make this happen.)
Unemployment remains a problem and a major concern.
The good news is that it's possible to get a remote job and even build a career as a military spouse. Remote work is portable with flexible hours. You can become an employee or even freelance. The key, though, is to understand all your options and which career opportunities are the best fit for you.
If you've ever read that remote job opportunities are mainly data entry and telecommunications, you were misinformed. Many occupations have remote work. (See chart below)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/article/telework.htm
In the following list, we selected the best jobs for military spouses with ease of entry and flexibility, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Note, if a job lists a required degree, it's not a strong requirement. A portfolio and experience normally count more.
Graphic designers create visuals—by hand or by using computer software—to communicate ideas to consumers. Candidates for graphic design positions should have a portfolio showing their originality and creativity.
| Average Annual Pay | Education Required |
| $50,710 | Bachelor's |
Typical duties:
Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs
Create visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations to help deliver a message
Design layouts, including selection of colors, images, and typefaces
Key Skills:
Analytical
Artistic
Computer
Time management
Web designers develop, create, and test the layout, functions, and navigation of a website or interface for usability.
| Average Annual Pay | Education Required |
| $78,300 | Bachelor's |
Typical Duties:
Meet with clients or managers to discuss the needs, design, and functionality of a website or interface
Create and test applications, interfaces, and navigation menus for a website
Write code for the website, using programming languages such as HTML or XML
Work with graphic designers and others to determine the website’s layout
Create prototypes and mockups of websites or applications
Key Skills:
Communication
Creativity
Customer service
Problem solving
Bookkeepers keep financial records like transactions and financial statements for organizations and check their accuracy.
Seasoned Air Force spouse Tracy Stepp, who’s been a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) since 2009, weighs in on this job. (Note: a CPA is different from a bookkeeper.)
“You don't have to have a degree to be a bookkeeper. You just need the general accounting knowledge/training on how to properly record transactions…I know of lots of people that do QuickBooks training to become bookkeepers.” Stepp adds, “I would say the biggest challenge is the time difference, depending on where you are stationed relative to the client.”
| Average Annual Pay | Education Required |
| $45,560 | Some college; no degree |
Typical Duties:
Use bookkeeping software and spreadsheets
Receive and track cash, checks, and vouchers
Enter costs (debits) and income (credits) for specific accounts into the software
Produce reports, such as balance sheets and income statements
Key Skills:
Computer
Detail-oriented
Integrity
Math
A virtual assistant manages the schedules and communications of key executives in an organization.
| Average Annual Pay | Education Required |
| $39,680 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Typical Duties:
Schedule and update event calendars
Arrange staff meetings
Prepare memos, invoices, or reports
Edit documents
Maintain databases and filing systems
Perform basic bookkeeping
Key Skills:
Decision-making
Interpersonal
Organizational
Writing
A content marketer strategizes, creates, and distributes relevant written or visual content to attract a target audience. Examples of content include blog articles, case studies, social media, and email campaigns.
The average yearly salary for this role is from Glassdoor. Marketing is a high-paying job that often requires a degree. You can find even more detailed salary information and job insights in Superpath’s latest report.
| Average Annual Pay | Education Required |
| $73,772 | Bachelor's |
Typical Duties:
Create, implement, and manage content for marketing campaigns
Collaborate with other teams
Optimize content for maximum reach
Measure content performance
Increase brand awareness
Key Skills:
Writing
Research
Planning
Analyzing
Other related marketing roles:
Content coordinator
Social media manager
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Specialist
Brand manager
Paid social manager
Product marketing manager
Content strategist
I know a bunch of us have been consultants at one point or another. (You know what I mean: Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, essential oils, etc.) But when I mention marketing, I'm not referring to any of these “network” marketing gigs.
I'm talking about high-quality roles with remote-first agencies and companies. Digital marketing is a blended career path where you can pivot to many related roles. After working remotely in marketing for over 7 years, I believe it’s one of the best online jobs for military spouses.
Even if you have a special career field you want to stick to—e.g., doctor, lawyer, chef, engineer, software developer, etc.—there's still a place for you. You can do online consulting using your profession.
With Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and upcoming Search with Generative AI, subject matter experts bring value to marketing. By giving quotes or even writing articles, experts can educate readers on certain topics. This helps create high quality articles for companies.
Flexible careers for military spouses exist. And if you’re looking for remote work, these are great sites to start with. Their postings are active and up to date. The majority are military-affiliated, formed or run by many members of our community.
Writing freelance articles is a great way to break into content marketing. Ten Speed is an SEO and content marketing agency that works with SaaS (software as a service) companies. If you have a good portfolio and enough experience, you can get a remote position in their writer network.
Instant Teams is a talent marketplace that uses skill-based hiring to provide virtual job opportunities and career continuation to a significantly underserved talent pool: military spouses. Depending on openings, you can work as an employee with Instant Teams or work directly with a company.
LinkedIn is a social networking platform mainly for professional networking and career development. You can find many work-from-home positions using the job search. Maintain an updated profile too, since it’s like a resume.
Hiring Heroes USA is a major nonprofit supporting military families. It helps active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses find new careers. They have a job board with remote openings listing companies that hire military spouses.
MSEC is a Department of Defense website. You can find information about portable skills and military spouse jobs such as childcare or human resources. They also offer a free one-year membership to FlexJobs where job seekers can search for remote work.
Some remote jobs are limited to certain states or time zones. Look at the remote level of the company as well. Fully remote companies usually understand online team dynamics and flexibility.
When you’re in the interview process, find out how the company communicates and how often. You want to avoid being part of a "team" but feeling like you're on an island.
How will you work? Not sure about full-time work? There are part-time jobs for military spouses.
Will you job hop or build a remote career? If you want career growth, what job will you choose? Not sure of a path? Use freelancing to build skills and get experience. Keep in mind it’s ok to have a non-linear career path nowadays.
While it's fine to go after different jobs—especially to get money coming in—still be strategic and have career goals and a plan. You don't want to waste your time or anyone else's. Focus on 1 or 2 career options to bring more depth to your knowledge and skills.
Working remotely overseas is possible (I’ve done it twice), but you should check for any SOFA restrictions. If your duty station is overseas, check with your sponsor or an employment readiness specialist for more information.
“Your network is your net worth.” This saying suggests that the value of your personal and professional connections can significantly contribute to your success. An easy way to start connecting is to find a mentor.
Veterati is a mentoring network for the military. I've used it as a mentee and now I mentor those interested in content marketing. It's such a quick and easy way to meet people! Some have vast connections within their industry and even have leads to jobs.
Having dedicated programs for hiring military spouses is a step in the right direction, but many need improvement. In a Linkedin post, Air Force spouse Ellen Summey, who works for the Army as a contractor, shared:
“Most spouse hiring programs in private industry and across the federal government (including Military Spouse Preference, Direct Hire authorities, etc.) are only helpful when you're trying to get in the front door—they don't help with retention or career growth.
So spouses end up using that step stool over and over again, knocking on the door, climbing in, and then being kicked back outside when it's time to move to a new duty station. Those programs are a step stool, and spouses need a ladder.”
Now that you know of several work-from-home jobs for military spouses and places to look, ask yourself if you’re really up for it. Working from home is perfect for some people. I personally love it! But I’m also an introverted, shrieks-in-the-sunlight homebody. (Just kidding about the sun.)
The question is: will working from home be a good fit for you?
Let’s look over what you should consider before going remote.
To work virtually, it helps to be tech-savvy. You don’t have to build computers, but problems with software, your computer, or the internet can happen. For instance, before connecting to a meeting, you need to make sure your video and microphone work.
Going remote means working by yourself. No in-person interaction. Video calls and messaging during the day can help with team connections, but it’s still not the same. It can get lonely.
When you’re alone, there’s a lack of accountability. You need a ton of self-discipline to get your tasks done.
Air Force spouse Cameron Tuck told Today.com about some of these hardships. "It is much harder to develop very strong relationships for me relative to my teammates because I’m remote," she explains. "Part of my job is also to be client facing, meaning taking meetings with clients of the bank. I am limited to taking those meetings virtually, if at all, since I am unable to travel for every in-person meeting."
Back in medieval times, when I was a high school teacher, I learned one big lesson: giving instructions once wasn’t enough. Before any activity, I had to repeat the instructions more than once. I had to say them verbally, write them on the board, act them out, get students to repeat them, and then restate them again. And even still, a student would still not know what to do. This was in person!
Imagine online.
It’s essential to overcommunicate. Emails and messaging are great, but video calls and phone calls are good to have also. Even screen recordings of feedback or project walkthroughs can add another layer to get your message across.
Home can be a super comfortable place to work. But it’s also where you live. And distractions are everywhere. That TV. That gaming system. Or even…(gulp) the ice cream in the freezer. They’re all out to get you. So be strong.
You have to establish work-life boundaries even with your clocked hours. Have a dedicated work space and defined work times.
Speaking of work hours. If you have small kids at home, remember those babies grow fast. Be present and enjoy them.
You can prioritize them and get some work in too. (I did this with 4 kids.) Even though you can work full time, I recommend doing part-time work with littles. Waking up before the sun rises is one way to get some time in.
Children’s nap times are great for work too. Seriously.
J. K. Rowling always inspires me. As a jobless single parent, she’d go to a cafe, and while her child napped, she wrote the first Harry Potter book. Now the series is an international hit and franchise. And she’s a billionaire.
But it was all born while her baby was sleeping.
If you want to explore the remote world even more, here’s an in-depth guide from Gitlab. It’s geared toward advising businesses on being all remote, but there’s tons of insight.
Whether you decide to go after a remote job or not, hang in there. Your time will come. And it’ll be a good path, if you don’t give up.
That’s what happened with the college woman I mentioned at the beginning. Even though she was an Army spouse living overseas, she wanted to finish her degree and get a job.
But one problem…
She knew little English. So she found some ESL classes to take.
Later, when stationed stateside, the lady had to juggle being a stay-at-home mom while taking classes at a community college. And when she studied, she had to put in extra hours to do well since the classes were in English.
As you may have guessed, the woman finally earned her bachelor’s degree. It was in accounting. But the bad news was she was rejected over and over again at job interviews. Since she was an Army wife, companies assumed she was going to leave shortly.
But this military spouse never gave up.
She kept applying for jobs. Then one day she finally became an auditor for the state of Alabama. And it was a career she excelled at for over 20 years.
My mom was the first military spouse in our family. Her story of grit hits home for me since I’m an Army wife today like she was.
Her story is only one out of many. Let this example and the many others we have in our military community encourage you.
You can either sink or swim in this lifestyle, especially with finding work. But we are military spouses.
And one word captures our essence.
Resilient.
Left - My dad who was an Army soldier for 20 years. Upper right - My mom becoming a military spouse. Lower right - My mom and I while stationed in Germany
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