Military Spouse Discovers Community and Career Through HOH
Air Force spouse Hannah Carey felt disconnected and isolated when she arrived at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, struggling to find a pathway to employment and community.
Undeterred, Carey connected with the programs and resources that buoyed her hopes for a successful job search and found a deeper sense of connection to her community in the process. She attended an HOH Amplify event, a free career development program that empowers military spouses and equips them with skills and resources for professional growth. Her LinkedIn network grew by over 400 people during the two-day event, and a presentation on strategic volunteering inspired her to sign up as the lead for her local Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN).
“I will forever recommend HOH to anyone in my network.” Air Force spouse Hannah Carey
Carey’s connections continued to grow with each program and resource she participated in. She was accepted into the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP), a fellowship program facilitated by Hiring Our Heroes. Her fellowship program manager recommended jobs, offered resume advice, hosted weekly professional development meetings, and provided encouragement. Of the supportive team atmosphere that Hiring Our Heroes fosters, Carey said, “I will forever recommend HOH to anyone in my network.”
Her professional journey and networking efforts gained additional traction when she connected with the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. Bossier Chamber President and CEO Lisa Johnson helped Carey with her local job search and invited her to volunteer with the Chamber, and through that opportunity Carey has expanded her network even further, meeting with local legislators, mayors, and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
Carey was recently hired as an ambassador for The Boot, a nonprofit dedicated to helping transitioning service members who plan to live and work in Louisiana after their service. She credits her participation in Hiring Our Heroes programs and events with supporting her as she builds community in the state, saying the organization “is more than just another resource or finding a job. It truly is a community of support, a way to get connected, and a window into a really special part of each community – the local chamber of commerce.”
