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Transitioning from military life to civilian life can be challenging and uncertain for women serving and military spouses. While the military offers a structured support system and a clear path for career advancement, transitioning to civilian life can leave many feeling lost and uncertain about their future. This can be especially true for women veterans and military spouses interested in creative careers. Fortunately, the SHE VET® Creative Network (SVCN) offers a comprehensive support network explicitly designed to help servicewomen, creative women veterans, and military spouses (including their daughters) overcome obstacles and achieve success in their creative pursuits.
According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time since September 2001 was 5.0 percent in 2020, compared to the overall unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. This indicates that while the veteran unemployment rate is lower than the national average, veterans still face significant challenges in finding comparable employment for their skillset.
Transformative Leadership: Empowering Creative Women Veterans and Military Spouses to Reach Their Full Potential
At the core of the SHE VET® Creative Network is transformative leadership. The network is committed to empowering creative women veterans and military spouses by providing access to experienced coaches, mentors, and resources to help them develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue creative careers. Leadership development forms a pathway for servicewomen, women veterans, and military spouses to explore their passions, set career goals, and overcome obstacles faced when merging into civilian communities. The network’s transformative leadership approach empowers them with practices to achieve their full potential and succeed in their creative pursuits.
Navigating the Transition: Resources and Support for Military Transitions
SHE VET® Creative Network provides resources and support to help military women navigate this transition. With access to resources for job search, employment, skills training, and accessing thier GI Bill, women veterans, and military spouses can develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in civilian employment. The network also provides access to internships, training, job placement, and community groups to help veterans and military spouses establish relationships, find camaraderie, and build a support system.
Achieving Financial Stability: Supporting Veterans and Military Spouses’ Financial Goals
Financial stability can be a major concern for many veterans and military spouses during the transition to civilian life. Military financial instability for spouses who relocate: According to a report by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, states military families are more likely to experience economic instability than civilian families due to frequent moves, deployments, and other factors. The report found that 32% of military spouses report having no emergency savings, compared to 22% of civilian spouses, and that military spouses are also more likely to report high levels of stress and anxiety related to finances.
The SHE VET® Creative Network acts as a hub that provides access to financial courses, education, certifications, project management, technology training, and entrepreneur resources for up-leveling their skills. Career guidance and information about military benefits to help achieve their financial goals. By offering access to these resources, the network empowers creative military women to achieve financial stability and security while pursuing their creative career goals.
Establishing Expertise: Resources and Support for Developing Creative Skills
The SHE VET® Creative Network offers resources and support for developing creative skills such as graphic design, photography, writing and editing, technology, and more. Creative women veterans and military spouses can establish themselves as experts in their creative fields by accessing these resources. The network offers consulting and creative platforms for developing brand identity, graphic design trends, logo design tips, digital design software, portrait photography, and more. With the support of the SVCN, creative servicewomen, women veterans, and military spouses can focus merge their experience and skills to develop the expertise needed to succeed in their creative careers.
Rediscovering Identity and Purpose: Mentorship and Support for Finding Fulfillment in Creative Careers
The journey for most servicewomen and military spouses transitioning to civilian life can lead to losing identity and purpose. Rediscovering one’s divine identity and purpose is critical to any successful transition process. SHE VET® Creative Network recognizes the importance of this process. One of its key components is providing spiritual counseling and guidance to help them explore their spiritual identities and pursue their divine purposes by offering coaching and courses to help rediscover their calling and creative gifts.
The Importance of Spiritual Identity
An essential aspect of the SVCN foundation’s pillars is its spiritual principles. The network offers support for creative professional servicewomen, women veterans, and military spouses pursuing creative careers and access to resources on spiritual practices, such as meditation, mindfulness, prayer, gratitude, and how to use one’s spiritual identity to create a brand identity and stand out in a competitive job market. Through the network, women can access spiritual guidance and support as they pursue their creative careers, find fulfillment, and establish themselves as leaders in their fields, helping them explore their passions and find their true selves.
Building relationships with other community members can also provide a sense of camaraderie and support.
Joining the creative professional networks of SHE VET® Creative Network is an excellent way to connect with local communities and other veterans who understand your experiences, hone your skills, and be seen and heard on a larger scale through a range of activities from social events to volunteer opportunities (i.e. writing clinics, music labs, and art shows) which contribute to building lasting relationships.
Creativity is An Essential Part of Taking Care of Your Physical and Mental Health
Activating creativity can reduce stress, PTSD, and depression: A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that art therapy can effectively reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD in military populations. The study found that art therapy had a positive impact on mood, self-esteem, and self-awareness and was particularly effective in improving socialization skills and reducing symptoms of depression.
By blending civilian services with the VA healthcare system, a range of mental health services are available to eligible veterans, including counseling and therapy. Maneuvering through the experience of physical injuries or chronic pain related to military service can become a positive outcome when there’s support. When women utilize the SCVN programs and the VA healthcare system, it ensures women veterans and military spouses take optimal advantage of comprehensive healthcare services, including primary care, specialty care, and preventative care. Some may be eligible for compensation and benefits through the VA, which can provide financial support during the transition.
Pursuing Your Creative Career: Finding Your Authentic Self and Purpose
Creative expression allows one to be their authentic self and find their purpose. Pursuing a creative career requires focus, dedication, and a willingness to take risks. However, with the right support system, building a successful and fulfilling career in the creative arts and entertainment space is possible.
Ultimately, know that the SHE VET® Creative Network is committed to equipping servicewomen, women veterans, and military spouses in their creative careers with the necessary tools and media platforms to express their creative personalities. Through various services, including skills training, mentorship, and job placement, the network provides a supportive community where women of the military community can find camaraderie, structure, and support.
In conclusion, we’re here to help you have a smooth creative career transition and a rewarding journey. By leveraging the resources and support available, creative military women, veterans, and military spouses can find success in the creative arts and entertainment space. Whether you’re just starting your transition or looking to take the next step in your career, the SHE VET® Creative Network is here to empower you on your journey. Together, we can transform the military community’s creative potential into a thriving and dynamic industry.
