As SteerBridge celebrates Veterans Day, we want to honor not only the brave service members but also the incredible military spouses who stand strong behind the scenes. These unsung heroes bring unique perspectives, adaptability, and resilience that strengthen our company culture in remarkable ways.

We're fortunate to have amazing military spouses on our team. They've shared personal stories about balancing professional careers with the demands of military life. Their experiences highlight the challenges they've faced, the successes they've achieved, and the invaluable contributions they make to our workforce.

Embracing Change and Building Resilience

Dr. Lisa Sedlock, Managing Director

"Being a military spouse has required me to adjust frequently to new environments and situations," Lisa says. "This adaptability translates well into workplace flexibility and embracing change."

Lisa believes military spouses bring strong communication, high emotional intelligence, organizational abilities, and teamwork to the table. Despite relocations affecting her career, she discovered her talent for project management and consulting through diverse roles. SteerBridge offered her flexible work arrangements, supporting her transition to a fully remote position enabling her the ability to best support her family.

Her message to fellow military spouses: "Don't be afraid to lean into the talents you've developed because of your role as military spouses. Your experiences have equipped you with invaluable skills—embrace them!"

Navigating New Career Paths

Jordan Duray, Data Analyst

"To me, resilience means jumping into tasks I may not know how to do at first but knowing I can learn along the way," Jordan shares.

She faced the challenge of finding a career that could move with her family. After trying various jobs, she discovered her passion for data science. SteerBridge supported her during her fellowship, providing an environment where she could learn and grow among people who understand the challenges of being a military spouse.

Jordan's advice: "Explore the resources available to you and just start. Programs like Hiring Our Heroes led me to a career path I never expected to pursue."

Thriving Through Adaptability

Petra Fernandez, Recruiting Specialist

"Frequent moves and building new support systems have taught me to thrive in change and embrace new challenges with a positive outlook," Petra reflects.

She brings adaptability, resilience, resourcefulness, and a strong work ethic to SteerBridge. While relocations made it tough to focus consistently on her career, she developed versatile skills valuable across various roles. SteerBridge recognized her strengths and provided opportunities for her professional growth.

Her encouragement to others: "Your adaptability and resilience are incredible strengths. Believe in the value you bring. Companies like SteerBridge appreciate the unique qualities you offer."

Overcoming Career Interruptions

Stephanie Sales, Creative Designer

"Through multiple deployments, you learn quickly how to deal with tough situations," Stephanie says.

Embracing constant change, Stephanie navigated her career with remarkable adaptability. Often, she took on roles outside her primary expertise to support her spouse's military commitments. With encouragement from the military community, she pursued further education and made significant strides in her career. At SteerBridge, we recognized the strength in her diverse experiences and valued the resilience she brought to our team, seeing beyond her varied work history to appreciate the unique perspective she contributes.

Embracing Flexibility in Tech

Mishelle Esser, Software Engineer

"Frequent relocations and balancing family demands have pushed me to be flexible and proactive," Mishelle shares.

She managed career pauses by embracing the IT field's flexibility, taking on roles like volunteering for tech projects and expanding her technical skills. Working with SteerBridge on the F-35 software engineering project has been both fulfilling and enriching.

Her message: "Adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving are essential in any industry. Your unique perspective is a strength that can set you apart."

Rediscovering Purpose Through Work

Shannon Castillo, Creative Designer (Intern)

"As a military spouse, I quickly learned that resilience and adaptability have many meanings," Shannon says. "You become a 'warrior of change' and take pride in all accomplishments, big and small."

She paused her career to care for a special needs child during her spouse's deployments. Shannon used this time to upskill and prepare for her return to the workforce. SteerBridge valued the skills she developed, looking beyond job titles.

Her message to military spouses: "Professional careers give you a renewed sense of purpose. You're more prepared than you think!"

At SteerBridge, we recognize that military spouses are invaluable assets to any team. Their resilience, adaptability, and dedication enrich our company culture and drive our success.

To all military spouses looking to enter or re-enter the workforce:

Your experiences have given you unique skills that are highly sought after by employers. Don't underestimate the value you bring. Companies like SteerBridge recognize and appreciate your strengths.

Are you ready to embrace new opportunities?

We invite you to explore career possibilities with us. Let's continue to support and celebrate the incredible contributions of military spouses.