And so, I was fiercely proud that on the 17th of April, I did get my box and it had been forwarded and I was accepted into that class. The Military Spouse Fellowship Program is a great program now in its 15th year that provides military spouses an opportunity to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor certification. "I'd been out of the workforce for 15 years. I am Shay Cook. I'm the executive vice president for communications and operations, which basically is a catch all. That's great to hear. For service members, a missed credit card payment might do more than just ding their credit report, it could also jeopardize a hard-fought promotion. And it was supposed to be by a certain date. And so, I shout out to my champion Coast Guard retired admiral, Maura Dollymore, who is still my friend to this day. AFCs can support clients as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities. Transcripts are generated using a combination of speech recognition software and human editors and may contain errors. The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program offers military spouses the opportunity to earn a career-enhancing credentialthe Accredited Financial Counselorcertificatewhile providing financial counseling and education to the military community. "I was able to go online and take a whole bunch of courses on Trailhead through Salesforce Military and get my Salesforce administration certification," Calabrese said. It's such an impactful initiative that I really enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about it. Not all those expenses are covered by the military. Education & Networking. It really is unmatched. Fellows must be career-ready. Welcome to FINRA Unscripted, I'm your host, Kaitlyn Kiernan. Before I came back to AFCPE and the FINRA Foundation, I worked for the Fort Hood area Habitat for Humanity as the associate director, assisting military families. "Before I knew it, I had been out of the workforce for 15 years," she said. Users are prompted to select positions in which they are interested from a list of about 92 diverse options, ranging from "writer" to "hospital administration." The Military Spouse Fellowship for Accredited Financial Counselor Program provides military spouses with the education necessary to enter the financial counseling career field. Andia Dinesen: We were stationed at Moody Air Force Base and I did a lot of volunteer work. Another thing officials are keeping tabs on are digital nomad laws, which are being picked up in various areas across Europe, he said. I have lots of different opportunities, lots of things I can create for myself even. Below is a transcript of the episode. "We really got to put some of those skills to work and get some hands-on technical experience with that as well," she said. I'm excited to be back from parental leave and kicking things off with a great group of women here to discuss their experiences with the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program. Please note FINRA podcasts are the sole property of FINRA and the information provided is for informational and educational purposes only. Normally, the program requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of financial counseling experience during the fellowship period. The funny story was that I had actually PCS'd, and we were going to find out if we got the fellowship by receiving the initial box of textbooks and study guides and things back in the day. AFCs can support clients as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities. At the conclusion of each week, the Military Spouse Fellowship Program hosts a fellowship huddle featuring senior-level guest speakers. And he said, no, apply again and worked with me, and I did a lot of volunteer work with him as well. Both in person and virtual sessions are available. And I said, Well, I'm not, same as you Shay, I'm not sure this is the right fit for me. Military spouse employment/unemployment rates are higher than the national average. And so just leap, do it. There are plenty of fellows out there and AFCs that work in the government space, whether they're GS employees or contractors supporting the DoD and all of the services. So, we were in this unit where I needed a lot of support. To qualify, companies must be looking to fill open roles, not simply be on the hunt for free labor, Chamberlayne said. HOH Discover the Talent. So, the AFC can address your immediate money challenges, create a plan, achieve your unique goals and dreams, and build a sustainable foundation for long term financial well-being. We offer those webinar review sessions twice a week, a daytime opportunity, and an evening opportunity for live participation. It is a gift. What is the program like? And this is something that is so important to me because we as counselors can actually effect positive change, and that's a pretty remarkable way to start and end your day. We did create that understanding. The host company will provide the military spouse fellow with in-person or remote professional . So, Pat and Sully, thanks. Whether you're active duty, National Guard, Reserve, or retiree. And my dad encouraged me to do that. And so, I applied and was accepted in the summer of 2007. I was accepted into the Foundation's Military Spouse Fellowship program in 2007 and obtained my Accredited Financial Counselor certification in 2008. And then from there went on to the Association of Military Banks of America. 800-342-9647. FINRA and its affiliates are not responsible for any human or mechanical errors or omissions. Explore the tremendous value that veterans and military spouses can bring to your company by participating in HOH's Fellowship Programs. Program managers in each area can provide more information about the companies participating in that location. Mentzer advised spouses who are moving overseas and have questions about continuing to work remotely for their company, operating businesses or other issues, to contact the employment readiness office at the gaining installation, as well as the Judge Advocate Generals Office. AFCPE is a national nonprofit organization and the nationally recognized leader in financial counseling, coaching and education. What impact has your work had on the military community? Corporate Citizenship Center. All Rights Reserved. Everybody required a security clearance that can be negatively affected, then by a financial issue, by a bump in the road, by a negative credit report. And for their spouses, move after move might be more than just a financial or logistical hardship; it might also be the biggest hurdle in their own career growth. As of early May, Hiring Our Heroes officials said the accelerator program had had more than 2,000 initial inquiries since the program launched in December 2022. There's a uniqueness with your financial feasibility, or your financial stability can often affect negatively your career, and I think that's the uniqueness that maybe civilian families don't understand or aren't able to grasp. Fellowships will "span various industries and locations," according to the emailed announcement. We were stationed in Incirlik Air Force Base at the time in Turkey, and I heard about the program from one of my colleagues when I was working my first federal government job at the Air Force as a work life specialist with the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. It includes a comprehensive lifecycle financial education, providing the knowledge and skills to assist clients in complex financial decision making. The Military Spouse Fellowship Program is available to applicants residing in all 50 U.S. states. Get hands-on experience in the civilian workforce through a six- or twelve-week fellowship. The program is open to all spouses of currently serving members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, as well as currently serving Guard and Reserve members. And so, I shout out to my champion Coast Guard retired admiral, Maura Dollymore, who is still my friend to this day. The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot is a paid 12-week fellowship program that provides participating employers with access to a pipeline of highly skilled military spouse talent, who are equipped with education, transferable skills and experience in a variety of roles and industries.. So that was a really special moment for me, and I hope there's more that I don't know about, but that was one that that really sticks out for me. They own their own private practices. A similar program known as SkillBridge funds fellowships for service members within 180 days of their transition out of active duty. Employers who are interested in hosting a military spouse fellow may visit the Hiring Our Heroes website to learn more. As spouses continue to advocate and articulate, he said, it helps not only to identify problems, but to identify solutions. So, I am the financial readiness manager for FINRA Investor Education Foundation, overseeing several components of the Foundation's military plan, including the Military Spouse Fellowship. But because there is a stigma around this whole financial help, just asking for help period in the military and even the United States of America and around the world. Shay Cook: So many spouses fellows that I know and ran into through AFCPE symposiums or just throughout many different locations have such impressive careers and you know, they work for military relief societies, financial institutions and academia. An AFC assists individuals and families in the process of financial decision-making. Arrive a few minutes early to the call to respect the time of others. And Heather, so you are one of the first people, or if not the first person that applicants to the program interact with. Calabrese took two courses one was a consulting bootcamp, while the other focused on Salesforce automation. And it is a helpful tool to be able to say, I get it. Current spouses or surviving spouses of a uniformed service member; Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force (Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve, or retirees) entitled to DEERS card possession or eligibility. "There are so many military spouses that I've met that came into that program with zero technical background I met teachers and prior nurses so that certainly isn't a requirement, but it was definitely something that drew me to it," Calabrese said. Shay Cook: Yeah. He has been in for 21 years and we've been married for 22, so I've been there for the whole ride of his Air Force career. Kaitlyn Kiernan: Following up 10 years later, definitely as a sign, you had an impact. Within less than 24 hours of its announcement, however, the Chamber had already received "several hundred" applications, Chamberlayne said. But I would say start at your local family center and then venture out from there. Today, we deepen that commitment by contributing $1M to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) to fund a new Salesforce Fellowship Program that will help provide work to unemployed veterans and military spouses. And then number four is ethics, so you have to sign and adhere to the AFC Code of Ethics. Listeners, if you don't already, be sure to subscribe to FINRA Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Hello, everyone. The SBA encourages military spouses with solid business ideas or those contemplating entrepreneurship to enroll. Fellows will also be able to network with other companies within the fellowship program and interviews may be offered, given the proven track record of a fellows success. Report a concern about FINRA at 888-700-0028, Securities Industry Essentials Exam (SIE), Financial Industry Networking Directory (FIND). Thats why every HOH event and program is open to all military, veteran, and Gold Star spouses. When you come to the pre-screen, please make sure to treat it as you would a job interview and remember to: Be on camera and dressed professionally. What struck me was that part of that emotional and mental frailty was exacerbated by some of the financial issues that he was experiencing. This program is a proactive approach to what is only the beginning of the ramifications of the pandemic . Following up 10 years later, definitely as a sign, you had an impact. And before all of that, I worked for the Coast Guard, the Army and Air Force in several family and financial readiness positions, as well as several federal credit unions and retail. And one of the ladies at Airmen and Family Readiness Center had come up to me and said, have you heard about this opportunity, this fellowship? ", Expanding Spousal Employment Opportunities. What should applicants expect? My background is in psychology. And so, I was able to really bring that education and experience and expertise to the table and be able to develop that program. It just doesn't happen, especially in the current climate.". This video explains the application process, provides clarity regarding eligibility, and answers common questions asked by fellowship applicants. So this was almost 10 years ago, and within the last year she sent me a note on LinkedIn and told me all about how I set them up for success. It's awesome. And then maybe from a bias, the chaplain's office or your house of worship on your installation will most definitely be able to connect you with an appropriate source so that you can get that resolved. And it is a helpful tool to be able to say, I get it. But then outside of that, I stepped into a nonprofit and worked running the Military Saves campaign for the Consumer Federation of America. I should actually credit David Sullins as well, Sully, because he actually pushed me again to apply in Laughlin because I was a little sad that I didn't get it. At the end of the fellowship, spouses who excel in the program may be invited to join the host company as a direct hire. So, I'm Andia Dinesen and we are currently stationed at Joint Base Andrews, although we live in northern Virginia. Shay knows what she's talking about. Across the board, whether its leadership in the Air Force or DoD, we have a focus on these challenges. Persevere. And I mean, this is not even an exhaustive list, but you learn how to educate clients in sound financial principles, assist clients in the process of overcoming their financial indebtedness. So, there's a balance when hiring, do we want to put the effort and expense into training somebody that may be PCS'd, move, relocated or for whatever reason, they may not remain with the company for very long. Is there a cost to participate in the program? So, we have a range in the three years. On Sunday, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said it tracked six Chinese navy ships near the island. Created in 2006, this opportunity is made possible through generous funding and support by FINRA Foundation. Kaitlyn Kiernan: And Andia, how about you? And Shay, how did you hear about the program and decided to apply? Release Immediate Release DOD Now Accepting Applications for New Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot Jan. 12, 2023 | The Defense Department launched a 12-week paid fellowship program. It includes a comprehensive lifecycle financial education, providing the knowledge and skills to assist clients in complex financial decision making. May 24, 2023 Military Spouses: Untapped Talent for Nonprofit Employers? Jennifer Lynne Stroup Deputy Director, Military Spouse Program. The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot program provides spouses of currently serving members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and The Society of FINRA Foundation Fellows (SF 3) is a volunteer-led assembly of candidates and graduates of the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship program. And so, you have to continue to reach into your savings or use your credit card to pay for these extra expenses with moving every few years. Hiring Events. "My background was in technology, so I was finding that the longer I was out, the harder it became to get back in and I had less confidence that I was going to be able to re-enter the workforce.". This specific coursework strengthens their professional knowledge, giving fellows an edge in the civilian job market. So, to kick things off, can we start with the three of you telling me a bit about yourselves? And one of the ladies at Airmen and Family Readiness Center had come up to me and said, have you heard about this opportunity, this fellowship? So just to wrap things up, Shay, who is eligible to apply for this program? Shay Cook: Thanks, Kaitlyn. That was very special for her to have taken that time to tell me. Kaitlyn Kiernan: Great. I mean, the list really does go on, and I just believe they're all superstars. We want to accommodate everybody's learning style. We have people that do the eight-week webinar review session straight out of the gate, pass their exam right after that's done and then get their experience hour component completed. It was unclear why Bianchi was suspended or whether an interim commander has been appointed. And I looked at it and wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to pursue. I also in my other life assist active-duty soldiers at Fort Hood, primarily those that are getting ready to deploy or mobilized in a way to make sure that they're financially secure. Help clients develop new perspectives on the dynamics of money in relation to family, friends and individual self-esteem, and navigate cultural and emotional aspects of money. And it was supposed to be by a certain date. Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education. And then as I started putting things together over the years, I realized that this was not only my calling. Secondly, she needed to get training to get the certification to apply for the fellowship, and that was 100% covered by Salesforce Military which helped cut down two major barriers to reentry into the workforce. She worked in IT support and as a business analyst many years ago, but between her first pregnancy and a layoff, she and her husband decided she would stop working for a bit to concentrate on the family. All rights reserved. Compliance with any recommended conduct presented does not mean that a firm or person has complied with the full extent of their obligations under FINRA rules, the rules of any other SRO or securities laws. So basically, all military uniformed services and spouses of those services are allowed to apply. It can limit that. Your recommender may submit a letter on your behalf even after you've submitted your Fellowship application. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request, Applications Are Now Open for the DoD's Paid Private Fellowship Program for Military Spouses, An Overnight Drone Attack on Moscow Injures 1 and Temporarily Closes an Airport, China Says US Military Aid to Taiwan Will Not Deter its Will to Unify the Island. It is powerful. Applicants will be placed in both in-person and remote roles with companies on a rolling basis as positions come available, Chamberlayne said. This program is provided at no cost to employers with the Defense Department providing compensation for all military spouse fellows. Fellowship Programs. Employers get a lot out of the deal, too. I'm excited to be back from parental leave and kicking things off with a great group of women here to discuss their experiences with the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program. So even if you have the worst credit report, long as you fully disclose and you're honest. Since its inception, the program has awarded 1,638 fellowships to military spouses. How did you first hear about the program? Every service has financial counselors, but of course in the local communities there is people at financial institutions, at nonprofits and our fellows are working in everything around the world. So, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force now. 2023 AFCPE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. First is the education. But it is slightly more important or more effective with service members who could then have that as something that doesn't allow them to continue forward in their career. But we did create a plan. For military spouses, the program lasts 6 weeks with the opportunity for full-time hire at the end as well.
Dana Hills Bell Schedule 2023,
Comal Isd School List,
Protection Warrior Dragonflight,
Articles M
