Military spouses bring global talent, diverse skill sets, and unmatched resilience to the workforce. However, for those born abroad and navigating life stateside or stationed outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS), the path to employment is often steep and isolating. In this session, Lydiah Owiti, foreign-born spouse, legal and international development professional, and founder of the Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network, will guide us through the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these two often-overlooked cohorts. Participants will explore and understand how to provide informed and tailored programs and resources that help spouses navigate challenges such as host-nation work permits, credential recognition, language barriers, and more. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to engage employers and strengthen community partnerships. They will also learn how to support foreign-born and OCONUS spouses in building meaningful, sustainable careers, no matter where they’re from or where they’re stationed.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate the key employment challenges faced by OCONUS spouses versus foreign-born spouses residing in the U.S., including legal, cultural, and credentialing barriers.
- Design targeted career support interventions, such as credential translation guidance, bilingual résumé clinics, or host-nation job search strategies to meet these needs.
- Leverage existing community resources (e.g., Military OneSource, state licensing boards, nonprofit peer networks) to reduce employment gaps and isolation.
- Engage and educate employers on the unique value of military spouse talent, including the benefits of hiring foreign-trained or internationally experienced professionals.
