Military spouse professionals are at a disadvantage to our civilian counterparts for a myriad of reasons, and it shows: the current spousal unemployment rate sits at 21%, and underemployment remains rampant.
When Instant Teams announced its Twelve Million Plus (12M+) community app and in-person working space for military spouses, I was their cheerleader from the beginning. Nevermind that one of the founders is my neighbor, but I saw the potential for what this could mean for remote workers within our community. We are nomads, so allowing us to have concrete touchpoints to congregate is a luxury that our civilian counterparts take for granted.
But however incredible I initially thought this space would be, I underestimated its impact. I thought it would simply be a wonderful tool for job opportunities, networking, and peaceful working, but it has morphed into a neighborly mainstay within our community.
On any given day, multiple military spouses are in the office to ground the instability of this lifestyle. I have quietly observed the process of a spouse coming into the office looking to get a job, networking and making friends, and a week later having the job of her dreams. I have witnessed working parents with young children in tow come in to have a safe place for their military kids to enjoy the playhouse while they handle business projects. I have been a part of a community conversation, stunned to hear how local businesses wanted nothing to do with hiring military spouses. I have been a part of the welcoming crew as a new spouse walks in the door, ready to make new friends and connections. Who knew that an office space would become a place of hope, refuge, and friendship?
Founders Liza Rodewald and Erica McMannes built 12M+ to provide intentional connection among the global network of military spouses. Across the country and overseas to boot, military families loyally go where the military sends their service member, and it is common for a location to only be called “home” for a few years before another move is necessary. It can be difficult to cultivate a profession amidst such chaos, and often military spouses put aside their own career dreams in support of their soldier. 12M+ offers military professionals a meaningful network, as well as job opportunities with military-supportive businesses.
“WISE is privileged to be one of the Super 10 on 12M+, which means we are one of 10 veteran or military spouse owned employers that they highlight,” said Laura Early, chief experience officer at WISE Advise and Assist Team. “We are privileged to be able to post our jobs in 12M+. We recently listed a job in the platform and received over 100 applications … we are confident that many of the applications came from 12M+.”
Early went on to explain some of the benefits of connecting on the app.
“We love the relationship that we have with 12M+ and the ability to be able to put out jobs, connect, and ask questions directly of the military spouse community,” she said. “Our entire team at WISE is made up of the military connected community; with 80% being active-duty military spouses, many of them are part of the 12M+ community and enjoy connecting with other spouses.”
Earlier this month, 12M+ celebrated its first birthday. Hosting military spouses, community leaders, and sponsors, the office was abuzz with excited voices, meaningful conversations, and children enjoying cupcakes in a hideout. Multiple local businesses had booths within the space, greeting partygoers with gifts and treats, and even in the digital 12M+ world, participants enjoyed raffles and giveaways. It was a full day of fun, connection, and laughter, and reminded me of the reason I first loved the coworking space: community.
As military spouses, we are exceptional at pivoting into whatever role is asked of us. But the time for investing in ourselves is now and having spaces like 12M+ — both virtual and in-person — can help us achieve our goals by learning from and supporting one another.
Visit Twelve Million Plus to join the free, verified community of military spouses.
