The field of education offers an unforgettable career path that allows employees to make an impact on a child’s life and pass a love of learning to the next generation. Educators get to experience the satisfaction of seeing a student achieve their academic goals, along with enjoying a summer break and often a generous retirement package. Workers in the education field can rest assured that their talent is always in demand, as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field will experience 10% growth during the period 2020 to 2030.
Andra Reventlow, a Marine active duty military spouse since 1992, started her education journey teaching computer classes at a local college. Her mother taught second grade in a rural area, and Reventlow remembers how her mother always kept supplies in a drawer in case a child needed clean clothes. Currently, she is an education-based protege with American Corporate Partners, a nationwide nonprofit organization that offers a free, year-long mentorship to service members, active duty spouses and post 9/11 veterans.
Reventlow says there are particular strengths that the military community offers to corporate America.
“A military spouse may bring new and better ways of doing something because they have experience in another state, and what works in certain parts of the US may not work in another part,” she says.
Reventlow adds that there are certain skills that are particularly advantageous when pursuing this career.
“Patience is a big one. This is next to impossible, but that person should be unbiased. You can also have all those attributes like patience and open-mindedness, but having a big heart is most important,” she says.
Corey Leslie, a Marine Corps veteran who served for eight years, was drawn to the education path for the same reason Reventlow was: It resonated with him. Leslie works as Capital Programs, Assistant Director for Contract Administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a role he has held for over three years. He credits his time in the military for success in the education sector.
“Veterans are able to change priorities quickly and adapt to adverse circumstances,” he says.
Leslie urges employees in this sector to continue to hone in on their leadership skills.
Whether veterans are interested in polishing their résumé before applying to education positions or are learning how to achieve an effective work-life balance in their career, ACP is ready to help its participants advance their professional development. Interested veterans can submit an application at acp-usa.org/mentoring-program/veteran-application.