A self-described compensation “nerd,”  Kaitlin W. has always loved working in compensation within the HR field. Introduced to the specialty while working for a small HR boutique consulting firm in Arizona, she instantly knew that compensation was her chosen path.

Yet as a military spouse, Kaitlin found her path was often unpredictable. She and her husband, a service member in the U.S. Army, moved around frequently, often at a moment’s notice.

“There’s a saying, ‘Needs of the Army,’ meaning where the Army needs you, that’s where you’ll go,” says Kaitlin.

After several moves across the country, they are currently stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where they reside with their two young daughters.

A Glimpse into Military Life

Kaitlin says that while the military does a great job of prioritizing family, the frequent moves, deployments and lack of flexibility make it difficult.

“Sometimes military service members get home at 2:00 in the morning; sometimes it’s 5:00 at night; and sometimes they don’t get home for months,” said Kaitlin. “I need the flexibility to be there for my kids when anything comes up, and a traditional 9 to 5 job makes it really difficult to give the highest level of my performance to my job and to my family.”

After relocating to North Carolina, Kaitlin quickly landed a new job but found it challenging to strike a work life balance as a military spouse with two young children.

A Brilliant Connection

In search of something that would offer both career fulfillment and more flexibility, Kaitlin spotted a posting for a remote compensation consultant with Brillect, a finance, accounting and HR consulting firm based in Minnesota.

“My dream had been to move into a consulting role, but I wasn’t sure how to build that for myself,” said Kaitlin. “Brillect was committed to ensuring that the contract was a good fit for both me and the client. It wasn’t just about getting me on a contract; it was finding the right contract.”

A Career Peak

The right contract was a role that returned Kaitlin to her sweet spot in compensation. She’s currently working on compensation projects for a manufacturer of industrial and commercial floor cleaning products.

Her projects include developing Standard Operating Procedures, conducting pricing and salary benchmarking, and supporting systems testing to help optimize, maintain and govern the client’s compensation architecture going into 2025.

“I’m there to support their compensation team, tackling the projects that need to get done so everything can run smoothly and efficiently,” said Kaitlin. “I’m working part-time and love that I can stack my hours however I need as long as I’m meeting my deadlines.”

An Instant Hit

The seamless blend of pursuing her passion with a schedule that offers much-needed flexibility proved to be an immediate success for Kaitlin.

“My first week I told Brillect this is exactly the job I’ve been looking for,” said Kaitlin. “I’d had a late-night trip to the ER with my daughter, and if I had to be in the office at 7:00 a.m., I would have missed my meetings. Instead, I’m on a project-based contract that’s working for everybody.”

A Pathway to a Flexible, Fulfilling Career

Passionate about helping other military spouses find fulfilling careers with similar balance, Kaitlin is eager to shine a spotlight on consulting as a pathway right for people in a similar position.

“Whether you’re on a military base or a naval base or wherever you might be, consulting is a way to keep your toes dipped into the workforce and get meaningful, challenging and rewarding work in a way that meets you where you’re at in your life,” she said.

Sadly, Kaitlin has frequently witnessed the challenges of military life force people to step away from their careers, leaving behind the fulfillment of professional lives they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Recently, three of her friends quit their jobs after finding it too hard to balance work and family life in the military.

An Army of Talent

“I’m not the typical story,” said Kaitlin. “Many military spouses miss out on long- term careers due to the constant moves, lack of job opportunities near the base or the need to pull back on hours, and I’m passionate about opening this path to others.”

Kaitlin believes employers should eagerly consider military spouses for more roles, recognizing their unique ability to adapt, stay flexible and quickly learn in new environments.

“Some military spouses choose not to mention their military affiliation during interviews because of the perception that frequent change may be a concern, but Brillect saw it as a strength,” said Kaitlin. “They look behind the resume and intentionally see the whole person, not just the skillset.”

A New Beginning

While happily supporting her husband’s career in the military, Kaitlin is also thrilled to be growing her own career by consulting with Brillect.

“I can really see this turning into a long-term relationship,” according to Kaitlin. “Brillect’s culture is engaging and energizing, and matches up with the flexibility, challenge and opportunity I was craving in a field that I love.”

No matter where Kaitlin’s path takes her from here, Brillect is honored to be part of her journey.