Dealing with Underemployment as a Military Spouse

Bottom Line Up Front

56% of employed military spouses report underemployment—working jobs below their education, experience, or career potential. This is more than statistics; it's daily frustration of masters-degree holders working retail, experienced professionals taking entry-level positions, and career ambitions set aside. This guide addresses both the emotional reality and practical strategies: how to cope, how to use current position strategically, and how to build toward the career you deserve despite circumstances.

The Military Spouse Career Challenge

What Underemployment Looks Like:

• MBA working as administrative assistant
• Experienced project manager in coordinator role
• Licensed professional in unrelated field
• Career professional working part-time retail
• Expert earning entry-level wages

Why It Happens:

• Limited job market at duty station
• Short time to find position before moving again
• Employer reluctance to hire "temporary" employees
• Licensing/credential transfer barriers
• Need for flexibility military life requires

The Impact:

• Financial (earning below potential)
• Professional (career stagnation)
• Emotional (frustration, loss of identity)
• Long-term (career trajectory affected)

Acknowledging the Reality

It's Not You

Important to Understand: Your underemployment reflects circumstances, not your worth:

• You didn't fail; the system failed you
• Your qualifications are real
• Your frustration is valid
• This situation is common among military spouses

The Emotional Impact

What You Might Feel:

• Frustration and resentment
• Loss of professional identity
• Grief for career trajectory
• Isolation from professional peers
• Guilt about feeling dissatisfied
• Ambivalence about spouse's career

These Feelings Are Normal: Underemployment affects self-esteem and satisfaction. Acknowledging this is the first step to managing it.

When to Seek Support

Consider Professional Help If:

• Depression symptoms persist
• Resentment affecting relationship
• Unable to function day-to-day
• Significant anxiety about work
• Feeling hopeless about future

Resources:

• Military OneSource counseling (free)
• TRICARE mental health benefits
• Installation family services
• Private counselors

Coping Strategies

Reframe Your Narrative

From: "I'm stuck in a job below me" To: "I'm strategically positioned while building toward my next opportunity"

From: "My career is ruined" To: "My career is non-traditional and includes valuable diverse experience"

From: "I'm wasting my potential" To: "I'm maintaining employment while managing complex life circumstances"

Separate Identity from Job Title

You Are Not Your Job:

• Your worth isn't determined by your title
• Your capabilities exist regardless of current role
• This position is temporary
• You're more than any single job

Cultivate Identity Beyond Work:

• Volunteer in professional capacity
• Pursue hobbies and interests
• Maintain professional development
• Engage with professional community

Find Meaning Where You Are

Even in Underemployed Position:

• Help customers/clients meaningfully
• Mentor less experienced colleagues
• Improve processes where possible
• Build skills even if below your level
• Find aspects of work that align with values

Connect with Others Who Understand

Military Spouse Community:

• Others have same experience
• Shared understanding reduces isolation
• Can share strategies and support
• Normalize the experience

Professional Communities:

• Maintain professional identity
• Stay connected to your field
• Remember your capabilities
• Future opportunity connections

Strategic Approaches to Current Position

Extract Maximum Value

Skill Building:

• Learn new software/tools
• Develop transferable skills
• Take on new responsibilities
• Request training opportunities

Network Building:

• Build relationships with colleagues
• Connect with management
• Meet other departments
• Maintain professional connections

Reputation Building:

• Perform excellently
• Be reliable and professional
• Help others succeed
• Create positive impression

Position for Advancement

Within Current Organization:

• Express interest in advancement
• Identify growth paths
• Volunteer for projects
• Build visibility with leadership

For Future Roles:

• Document accomplishments
• Gather recommendations
• Develop portfolio
• Build reference relationships

Maintain Professional Standards

Even If Overqualified:

• Approach work professionally
• Don't let resentment affect performance
• Maintain work ethic
• Protect reputation

Why This Matters:

• References from any job matter
• Performance habits persist
• Small world—reputation travels
• Self-respect requires effort

Building Toward What You Want

Parallel Path Development

While Working Current Job:

• Pursue professional development
• Get additional certifications
• Build skills through side projects
• Volunteer in professional capacity
• Network toward future opportunities

Time Investment: Even 30 minutes daily compounds:

• Online courses
• Certification study
• Professional reading
• Networking activities

Remote Work Strategy

Long-Term Solution: Remote work can solve underemployment by accessing broader job market

Building Remote Capability:

• Develop remote-friendly skills
• Gain remote work experience (even small projects)
• Target remote-first employers
• Build online presence

Side Projects and Freelancing

Benefits:

• Work at your qualification level
• Build portfolio
• Earn additional income
• Maintain professional skills

Options:

• Freelance in your field
• Consulting projects
• Contract work
• Volunteer professional work

Career Change Consideration

Sometimes Underemployment Signals:

• Your field isn't portable
• Market has changed
• New direction might be better fit

Questions to Consider:

• Is your original career path viable as military spouse?
• Would a related but more portable field work better?
• Are there growing fields where you could apply your skills?

Financial Strategies

Managing Lower Income

Budget Adjustment:

• Live on military income as baseline
• Don't inflate lifestyle beyond sustainable
• Save during earning periods
• Emergency fund for transitions

Future Planning:

• Continue retirement contributions (even small)
• Don't neglect long-term financial health
• Consider spouse income supplemental not essential

Calculating True Cost

Before Taking Underemployed Position:

• Income earned
• Minus: Childcare costs
• Minus: Transportation/work expenses
• Minus: Opportunity cost of time
• Equals: Actual benefit

Sometimes: Lower-paying position isn't worth it financially

But Consider: Non-financial benefits (social connection, professional activity, mental health)

Negotiating Despite Circumstance

You Can Still Negotiate:

• Research market rates
• Know your worth
• Ask for what's reasonable
• Don't undersell yourself

Even in "Take What You Get" Situations:

• Starting salary affects future raises
• Sets precedent for treatment
• Preserves self-respect
• Some negotiation usually possible

Practical Action Plans

If Just Starting Position

First 90 Days:

• Perform excellently
• Learn the organization
• Identify growth opportunities
• Build relationships
• Document accomplishments

Set Advancement Timeline:

• When can you discuss growth?
• What would need to happen?
• What's realistic timeline?
• What's your exit strategy if no growth?

If Stuck in Position

Assess Options:

1. Advancement within current organization
2. Transfer to different role/department
3. Leave for better opportunity
4. Add parallel professional activities
5. Accept and find meaning where you are

Choose Strategy Based On:

• Time remaining at duty station
• Job market locally
• Remote work possibilities
• Financial requirements
• Personal circumstances

Planning for Next PCS

Start Early:

• Research new location job market
• Begin networking 6+ months out
• Apply for remote positions
• Prepare to job search actively

Goal: Avoid underemployment at next location

Long-Term Career Strategy

Portable Career Building

For Future:

• Build skills that work anywhere
• Get credentials that transfer
• Develop remote work capability
• Create location-independent value

Professional Identity Maintenance

Regardless of Current Job:

• Keep certifications current
• Maintain professional associations
• Stay current in your field
• Network professionally

10-Year Perspective

Remember:

• Military career has end date
• Your career continues after
• Time for recovery and growth
• Current situation is temporary

Long-Term Goals:

• What career do you want when military life ends?
• What are you building toward?
• How can current period serve that goal?

Resources

Mental Health:

• Military OneSource counseling: militaryonesource.mil
• TRICARE mental health benefits
• Installation family programs

Career Development:

• MSEP: myseco.militaryonesource.mil
• MyCAA education benefits
• Professional associations

Support Communities:

• Military spouse groups
• Professional organizations
• Online communities

This Website:

• Remote Work That Survives PCS
• Career Continuity Strategy
• militarytransitiontoolkit.com

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Underemployment is one of the most frustrating aspects of military spouse life. Your qualifications are real, your frustration is valid, and this situation says nothing about your worth. Focus on what you can control: your attitude, your skill development, your network, and your long-term strategy. The career you deserve is still possible—it may just take a different path than you originally planned.