Instant Teams

Have you put in the hard work to build your background and grow your skills to become a talented project manager (PM)? Maybe so. But, now, as a military spouse, you’re ready to make those remote, flexible career dreams of yours a reality.

If that seems out of reach, we’re here to prove that it’s 100% achievable. How so? Well, we sat down with our friend Catherine at Worldwide101, a premium virtual assistant company, to learn how she translated her mad skills in PM to a long-term, work-from-home VA role. Read on to get the full scoop!

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your life as a military spouse?

I have been a happy member of the Worldwide101 team for a little over two years now! I live in a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina, with my husband, our three little boys (ages 5 years, 3 years, and 5 months old), and our two dogs.

My husband has been in the North Carolina Army National Guard for 17 years, including 12 years of active service. He is currently stationed in Raleigh and works at our state’s Joint Force Headquarters. We have been together for over ten years and married for nine, and if there’s one skill I’ve had to learn well in my time as a military spouse it is adaptability. I am a planner by nature, but discovered pretty early on the importance of a contingency plan (and a fallback plan) whenever my husband or the Guard is a factor – everything in pencil!

Tell me a bit about your professional background.

Before joining Worldwide101, my experience was primarily in facilitating projects and programs for the military and nonprofit organizations, including the US Army’s Youth Science programs, the USO of North Carolina’s Reading and Study Skills initiative, and the NC Army National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program, among others. I am skilled in project/program development and coordination, volunteer management, client relations, research, event planning, and project/program evaluation measures.

I have had the pleasure of working with several wonderful and inspiring clients with Worldwide101, but have also recently joined the core team as the Onboarding Facilitator and Operations Assistant.

Why was Worldwide101 appealing to you as a PM?

I was really intrigued by the variety of clients that come to Worldwide101 for support. I loved the idea of working with multiple clients simultaneously from different industries and with their own unique goals and needs.

Also, the work/life balance afforded by a flexible, part-time, remote position was very appealing to me, and exactly what I was hoping for in my next career move. My husband’s schedule (and presence) was, and still is, very unpredictable. So, I appreciate having the ability to set my own schedule to accommodate our family’s needs!

How do you use your Project Management skills for Worldwide101?

I am most in my element when I’m organizing, executing, and solving problems with the logistics of a project or program. And, thankfully, I have had many opportunities to do those things in my work with clients. My clients have each been from very different industries, with their own unique needs, tools, preferences, communication styles, team setup, etc. But, my skills in Project Management have been applicable and useful across the board.

For example, for one client, I did a great deal of researching vendors and coordinating requests for quotation. For another, I led the process management for his franchise development operations. He often referred to me as his “quarterback” for overseeing new franchisee prospects through the qualification/sales process, and liaising with all parties to keep everyone on the same page and the documentation up to speed. That’s actually quite similar to my new(ish) role as Onboarding Facilitator, as I coordinate our newest team members through their on boarding, and am continually looking out for ways to improve the flow and efficiency of our process.

Why do you think Worldwide101 is a good fit for Project Managers?

I think most Project Managers will appreciate the opportunities to work with Worldwide101’s inspiring, high-caliber clients. The assignments can be quite interesting, and there are often chances to stretch and grow your skills.

Also, from the flip side, experienced project managers have a lot to offer our clients. The strong organizational, communication and conflict-management skills that are necessary to be successful as a project manager, as well as the proactivity and the ability to make competent decisions confidently, are all very valuable and useful in this work.

What makes Worldwide101 an attractive option for PM professionals specifically over more traditional PM roles?

As if being 100% remote isn’t attractive enough, there’s also the opportunity to work with multiple unique clients and projects simultaneously, most likely even from different industries. I find this really keeps the work interesting, and there are always opportunities to learn new things or apply your skills in new ways.

Additionally, many (if not most) traditional project management positions are temporary. PMs are hired to see a specific project through. And, once it is completed, the PM is off to find the next role with a new team. At Worldwide101, however, our clients are looking for long term partnerships. You have the chance to build solid working relationships with clients that can deliver project after project.

How do you personally celebrate a project completion?

It maybe a bit old-fashioned and not really a “celebration” per se, but I have been a habitual list-maker and whiteboard-user since my college days. And, for me, it is cathartic to physically check tasks off of a written list or clear a completed project from my board.  

Wrapping up a successful project or seeing something that I’ve been a part of come to fruition is rewarding in itself, but hey… I’m always up for a celebratory cupcake!