Elinah Mapfumo

Social Worker

Service Member's Branch - Navy

Service Member's Status - Currently Serving - 22 years

What has been your military spouse career/entrepreneur journey so far?

We have been together for 2 years and I just started as a military spouse. I don't have a lot of knowledge of what that entails but I've been supporting him as he transitions out of the Navy next year.

I've also helped with the Chief season hosting soon-to-be chiefs and providing psychosocial support.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a social worker located in CO Springs. I work for the public defender's office where I help with mitigation services for those incarcerated specifically with serious charges. I help the legal team understand the client and how mental health and other mitigating factors impact the case. I do presentations for District Attorneys and letters to judges advocating for my clients.

I have also registered my first private practice and will be opening doors in April.

Tell us about a "typical" day in your professional life.

I go to the jail to meet with my clients for check-ins or complete mental health assessments.

If you've been stationed overseas, how did this affect your career and or business?

N/A

What has been your biggest military spouse career struggle and how did you overcome it?

I think the idea that we might move even after establishing myself as a clinician in CO and what that entails.

What role did mentors and sponsors play in your journey?

None

How does your career path differ from what you imagined for yourself?

My career path has stayed the same. I'm in the process of completing my doctoral degree in social work and figuring out what I want to do next.

How did military life (PCSing, deployments, trainings, etc) factor into your career decisions?

They haven't yet- my husband and I are pretty open about things like that and how they might impact us.

Have you ever had to geo-bach due to your career/entrepreneurship?

What resources have you found to be useful in your career/entrepreneur journey?

I join groups and network with others. I invite them for coffee or offer services which has made getting referrals easier.

Final word: what are your top tips for other military spouses about navigating a career within the military lifestyle?

I think we all need therapists and support systems who understand the situations we are in. It can be really isolating but when you share with others it lessens the burden.

I will say that having open communication about decisions has made things work out for us. We are a team and ensure that we support each other and are graceful when others ask for sacrifices from us. If those sacrifices are costly, I share with my partner what that's like and this brings us closer.

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