A retired army officer, Col. Reese Turner spent almost three decades in the U.S. Army. Now the vice president of skills at Interapt in Kentucky, Col. Reese Turner looks forward to assisting veterans, including women veterans, transition to civilian life as part of the Interapt skills program.
The fastest growing segment of the military is women. They comprise 14 percent of military forces in active duty and 9 percent of veterans. To date, over 280,000 women have been deployed in conflict areas in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the number of women veterans is expected to double by 2045.
Despite their growing contribution to the security of the country, however, women veterans are still facing challenges joining the job market. On top of the challenges that all veterans face like difficulty using military skills in the workplace and exaggerated concerns about post-traumatic stress disorder, women veterans face additional challenges like gender stereotypes, the wage gap, and difficulty balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. All these make their transition that much harder.
For women transitioning into the civilian job market, there are a number of helpful coping tips. First, seek employment in firms that value veterans. These can be found through sites like militaryfriendly.com or through references from other women veterans. Research potential employers before applying to find out about their internal policies and any assistance programs they have for veterans. Second, learn to leverage military skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership to advance your career. Last, build a strong professional network, including a woman veteran mentor, to help with your job search and career progression.
