Published: July 8, 2024
By Adriene Engstrom
As a military spouse, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of building a career while managing constant relocations and family commitments. In 2021, I discovered Blue Star Families (BSF), which opened a new world of career support and community. Later that year, I met another military spouse who introduced me to American Corporate Partners (ACP). This connection changed everything for me. That spouse became my mentor, guiding me through the challenges of professional life and helping me achieve my goals. Her guidance was so significant that I brought her to meet other military spouses in our community to discuss careers over coffee.
Now, I’m excited to share the incredible opportunity I had with even more military spouses, hoping it can make the same difference in their lives as it did in mine.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Blue Star Families announced a new partnership with ACP, an organization renowned for its commitment to connecting Veterans and military spouses with valuable career opportunities through mentorship and networking, in late May of 2024. This collaboration extends ACP’s mission and offers holistic support to the broader Blue Star Families community.
The alliance between ACP and Blue Star Families is rooted in a shared dedication to empowering military families. Combining ACP’s extensive mentorship network with BSF’s focus on community building, research, and advocacy will provide military spouses with the resources and guidance they need to thrive professionally.
The best part is that ACP has hundreds of mentors ready to be paired with military spouses, offering personalized support and expert advice. Let’s explore some inspiring stories from those who have already benefited from this incredible program.
Gaea Maria Anonas Peters: A Journey of Rediscovery
“Throughout my 12-year journey as a Navy wife, I’ve embraced my husband’s military service, tackling the challenges of constant relocation and prioritizing family over career,” says Gaea Maria Anonas Peters. “As my children grew, I aimed to reignite my passion for government affairs, the nonprofit sector, and diplomacy. Transitioning back to my field seemed daunting until I discovered the ACP mentoring program.”
Gaea was paired with Joseph Cox, a seasoned professional in government affairs. “Meeting Joseph was serendipitous. His guidance has been transformative, from refining my resume to offering strategic career advice. Our connection transcends beyond mentorship; Joe has become a trusted friend, exemplifying expertise, wisdom, and guidance. We even had the opportunity to meet in person for coffee! I am immensely grateful for ACP’s role in fostering this partnership.”
Kasey Kelly: Turning Dreams into Reality
Kasey Kelly signed up for an ACP Mentorship in 2023. As the spouse of a disabled Veteran, her dream was to start her own business in the social media space. Kasey was paired with ACP Mentor Michael Claudio, and the pair immediately hit it off.
“Michael from the beginning was encouraging through my imposter syndrome. He was available and ready to review podcast proposals and give great advice when pesky algorithms got in the way. He never batted an eye in watching videos of our chickens and providing feedback. I have had two videos reach 1 million views on both Instagram and Facebook since starting the channels in late November. I definitely had an upper hand in being successful in the early stages of entrepreneurship because of the mentorship Michael and ACP provided.”
Michael’s Impact: Coaching Through Challenges
Another heartening testimony comes from a military spouse who found a mentor in Michael. “Michael has encouraged me through my social media journey. When I have dealt with imposter syndrome, he’s been there to coach me through. It’s nice to have someone who has been there and can understand the setbacks and triumphs. Michael has been so helpful in reading over podcast proposals and watching silly videos of chickens. With his support, I hit a milestone of 1.5 million views in only a few months of releasing content and started my LLC. Michael has given his unwavering support, knowing how crazy being a caregiver of a disabled veteran and mom of neurodivergent children can be. His mentorship and kindness have meant the world to me; it’s always nice to know you have someone to bounce ideas off of and someone rooting for you.”
Join the Mentorship Program Today
These inspiring stories and mine are a testament to the power of mentorship and the significant impact it can have on the lives of military spouses. If you are a military spouse looking to advance your career, start a business, or navigate the challenges of professional life, an ACP mentorship can provide the guidance and support you need.
Ready to take the next step in your professional life? Sign up for an ACP Mentorship today and be paired with a mentor who can help you achieve your goals. Enroll here: [https://apply.acp-usa.org/bsf]
Posted In: Careers, Military Spouse Employment