The Dental Hygienist
“As military spouses we are continually having to move, which creates challenges for career continuity; I would encourage spouses not to give up on their personal career goals,” Erin Randall said. She is a Registered Dental Hygienist at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia. “Although I am very proud of my husband’s accomplishments, I have never wanted to lose sight of my own career goals and I’ve always wanted to have my own identity,” Randall said. Fortunately, her choice of profession has allowed her to easily find work across the country in most cases. When picking her career, she knew military life would demand a certain level of flexibility and patience. “If possible, pursue a career with high portability with your spouse’s military career. Fill in any employment gaps by volunteering and sit down and define your long-term goals as a couple.” Her advice to vocalize your goals by sitting down with your partner is essential to success. If you don’t communicate what you want as a professional and let your spouse know how to support you in those goals, there will be a void in your support system.
Mobility, patience, and flexibility…these are all characteristics to keep in mind when choosing your profession or volunteer area. But, if you’ve paid attention to everything these women have said, the most important element to keep in mind is clear: does it make you happy? Because as they old saying goes, no matter how cliché it sounds: if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
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