A recently launched online program provides aid to military spouses who are in need of career and education guidance. Called My Individual Career Plan, or MyICP, the new interactive resource lets military spouses build digital career roadmaps based on their own goals and objectives.
The web resource debuted Jan. 10 on the Military OneSource website with the help of the Department of Defense's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. It's available to all active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps spouses, as well as National Guard and Reserve spouses. Surviving spouses are also eligible to use the program. However, all military spouses have to first register at the SECO website before accessing MyICP.
"SECO provides expert career and education guidance to military spouses worldwide, supporting them in four career lifecycle stages: career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness, and career connections," said SECO program analyst Lee McMahon in a statement.
McMahon added that MyICP allows military spouses access to the 200 companies and organizations that compose SECO's Military Spouse Employment Partnership, so that military spouses can more easily find job openings.
A recent study from the RAND Corporation found that while a majority of military spouses are employed, they are more likely to be seeking work and earn less on average than civilian spouses.