Army Spouse Relaunches Career With Hiring Our Heroes Programs
Military spouse Renee Holton is a powerful example of what happens when determination meets the right resources. After more than a decade in healthcare and clinical research, Renee took a career break to move overseas for her active-duty spouse’s next assignment. She leveraged Hiring Our Heroes military spouse programs to relaunch her career after returning to the U.S. from overseas.
A Career Built on Purpose
Prior to moving overseas, Renee spent over 14 years in the healthcare industry, contributing to groundbreaking research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She worked on projects focused on cancer survivorship, pediatric cancer, and hereditary cancer. Renee then transitioned to leading change management for pediatric outpatient clinics while earning her MBA in Leadership and Management.
After moving to Germany with her husband, Renee paused her career and focused on volunteer work with their duty station’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR). When it was time to return stateside, she found support through Hiring Our Heroes.
Building Success Through Connection
Renee applied for the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP). Facilitated by HOH, the program connects military spouses to 12-week paid fellowships. Her HOH fellows program manager, Jill New, “went above and beyond,” Renee shared. “She was an excellent advocate, connecting me with hiring managers and showcasing my skills to various companies.”
In addition, Renee attended an HOH Amplify event where she participated in professional development tailored to military spouses. Attending the event expanded her network, and those relationships played an essential role in landing her current position.
“I owe much of my success to the incredible people I enjoyed working with at HOH and the valuable resources provided through this program.” – Renee Holton
From Fellow to Full Time
Renee’s drive and preparation led to her acceptance as an MSCAP fellow with Humana. She maximized the opportunity, converting her fellowship into a full-time role and continuing to grow within the organization. “I owe much of my success to the incredible people I enjoyed working with at HOH and the valuable resources provided through this program,” Renee said.
Her story emphasizes the resilience of military spouses—and the value of utilizing resources like HOH to turn challenges into career opportunities.
