Meg Mitchener

Graphic Designer

Service Member's Branch - Air Force

Service Member's Status - Currently Serving - 15 years

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

My career path has been less of a straight line and closer to when your GPS just keeps saying, "Recalculating." I started as a middle school special education teacher in Missouri, then taught English in South Korea before taking a couple years off to be a stay-at-home mom. During that time, I launched a small business and began volunteering with military organizations. Somewhere along the way, I discovered graphic design, which ultimately opened the door to my current full-time career with the Force Support Squadron. And then last year, I added an MBA to the mix, because I don't know how to sit still. Military life has definitely taken me on an unexpected path, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Meg, and I'm originally from Boston, MA. I met my husband 11 years ago while teaching in Missouri, where he was stationed at Whiteman AFB. We have one daughter and have loved the unique adventures that come with military life overseas. In my free time, I'm passionate about supporting military families through community organizations and leadership development.

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

I work as a graphic designer for the Force Support Squadron, so I spend my days creating everything from posters to social media campaigns and event materials. I get to work with teams across the installation to help connect military members and their families with programs and services. When I "clock out," I usually switch to my "second job" as the volunteer Chairperson for Americans Working Around the Globe (AWAG), leading initiatives that support military spouses across Europe. I love that both roles let me combine creativity, problem-solving, and serving the military community.

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

Since moving overseas in 2017, I've learned that military spouse careers rarely follow a traditional path. Every PCS brings new challenges, whether it's navigating overseas hiring, limited opportunities in certain fields, or starting over professionally. One of the biggest challenges of living overseas is career portability. Licensing requirements, language barriers, and limited employment opportunities often mean we have to reinvent ourselves with every move. It has also occasionally meant putting career goals, such as expanding my business, on hold as we navigate another OCONUS assignment.

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

My biggest career struggle was letting go of the career I had originally planned. As a teacher, I never imagined I'd leave education, but military life made me realize that career portability mattered just as much as passion. Instead of focusing on what I had lost, I started looking for opportunities to build new skills and create a career that could move with me. That shift opened doors I never expected and ultimately led me to a career I truly love.

What role did mentors and sponsors play in your journey?

I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am today without several amazing mentors. They saw potential in me long before I saw it in myself, encouraged me to take on new challenges, and opened doors I never would have knocked on myself. Their belief gave me the confidence to keep growing.

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

If you had asked me ten years ago where I'd be today, "graphic designer with an MBA leading a nonprofit board" definitely wasn't on my bingo card. I always imagined I'd spend my career in a classroom, steadily climbing the education ladder. I knew that we might move around and that recertification was a possibility, but moving overseas and being over here so long changed everything.

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

PCSs and overseas assignments influenced every major career decision I made. Instead of planning years down the road in one location, I learned to make decisions that would keep me employable and growing no matter where the Air Force sent us. It influenced every investment and small business decision I made, because I knew that nothing I was building was permanent. Even with digital options and online shops, each new location brings hurdles, tax laws, and tons of fun.

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

I've found that people have been my greatest resource. Mentors, sponsors, and professional networks opened doors and encouraged me to pursue opportunities I wouldn't have considered on my own. Organizations like Americans Working Around the Globe (AWAG), Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MASN) and their Military Spouse Leadership Development Program (MSLDP), and the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) provided education, networking, and encouragement at different stages of my career

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

Give yourself permission to pivot. Military life is constantly changing, and you may need to change with it.

Say yes when you can. Some of the best opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Ask me how I know!

Ask for help. You don't have to figure everything out on your own. Seek mentors, build your network, and let people support your growth. You don't get bonus points for reinventing the wheel or going it alone.

Done is better than perfect. Don't wait until everything feels perfect to apply, create, or lead. Progress matters more than perfection.

Listen to an interview with Meg to hear more about her story.

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