Tatyana Ray

Faculty Manager: LSAT and Bar Exam at Kaplan Test Prep

Service Member's Branch - Army

Service Member's Status - Currently Serving - 20 years

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

My military spouse career began at Ft. Riley. I was an early head start teacher before PCSing to Ft. Cavazos. There I worked for Child and Youth Services as a CYPA and Training Specialist. Next we PCSed to USAG Hohenfels in Germany where I was the CDC Director. We PCSed to Maxwell AFB where I didn't work since we'd only been there one year before heading to Ft. Irwin. That's where I began working with Kaplan Higher Education in 2015. In that position, I started with Purdue University Global as a military relations coordinator supporting military members and their families navigating their college journey. In 2021, I started with Kaplan Test Prep in my current role.

Tell us about yourself.

I'm Tatyana, originally from Detroit, MI and currently stationed at Ft. Knox, KY. I enjoyed reading, watching TV, cooking new recipes, and shopping. I've been with my service member 27 years, since high school, and married for 20 years this April. We have a sweet poodle mix named Panda.

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

A typical day normally involves a few meetings. I review emails from faculty members and manage class assignments.

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

I was a federal employee and was able to transfer into a lower role.

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

The idea that a career path is a straight line. Moving away from what I went to school for opened up a new career path I wouldn't have considered previously.

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

Absolutely. My background is in child and youth development. I thought the furthest away I'd get from that would be a center director or curriculum specialist.

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

I had to become flexible and more well rounded.

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

Yes. Communication is key. Create a plan on what you'll do to stay connected to your spouse and stick to it. Also, don't assume your employer isn't willing to work with you. Ask the question, the worst thing that will happen is being told no.