Strive and Thrive
"“Do not sell yourself short.”
Everyone’s heard it at one time or another. An amazing concept in theory, but implementing it into real life is a different story. Active-Duty Military Spouse, and ACP Protégé Anna Johnson faced this challenge head on.
Recently laid off due to funding cuts, expecting her second child, and moving states with her Active Duty husband, Johnson had a lot on her plate. Unsure of what the next chapter of her life would look like, one thing remained unchanged. She refused to give up on herself.
Signing up for the ACP year-long mentorship, Johnson knew she was going to be connected with a new corporate professional. Something that she didn’t know at the time, was she was going to connect with someone who would be, as she explains
“instantly on my side and in my corner,”
reminding her that she brought not only something, but a tremendous amount to the table.
Starr Person, Vice President of the Human Resources Division at Morgan Stanley, and Anna Johnson’s ACP Mentor, is well versed in the responsibilities and uncertainties that come along with being a part of a military family. Self proclaimed “Super Military Brat,” Person comes from a family with a long history of military service,
“I knew nothing but the military.”
Although not a former service member herself, she saw the opportunity to volunteer with ACP as a call to action. Person shared that while technically labeled a mentorship, thinking of her own family, she saw it as a way she could help service members and their families through their transitions. She adds, “It [mentoring] feels so small in comparison to all that they do.”
When asked about her experience working with an Active-Duty Military Spouse through ACP, Person answered promptly, “Anna is brilliant because her growth is directly related to her fully acknowledging how brilliant she is.” Johnson spoke about this sentiment when asked what she has gained from this experience, “I needed someone to give me that confidence boost, that ego boost.” The relationship created between Johnson and Person allowed just that.
Working in tandem, tailoring her resumés, perfecting her cover letters, practicing with mock interviews, and searching for roles all came to fruition when only two months into the year-long mentorship, Johnson landed a role. But that was just the beginning of these two women’s professional mentorship.
Pondering a favorite memory throughout the mentorship, Johnson remembers when she told Person that she wanted to continue meeting, even after her success of beginning a new role. Johnson adds that Person lit up when she heard this, “I told her I wanted to keep going, elevate, and continue my professional development.”
Person thought back to this moment and fondly added that her favorite part of the mentoring process, “is the midst of the journey, knowing what you have been able to achieve so far, and what’s on the horizon.”
As of today, Johnson and Person are still actively participating in the mentorship program and are continuing to work diligently through both of their professional journeys. When asked about what advice she would give to those considering a mentorship, Johnson immediately replied “Just like Nike said, ‘Just do it’”. She continues to share the program with other military spouses and is looking forward to continuing to grow her relationship with Starr, even after the formal year-long mentorship comes to an end.
Ready to have someone in your corner and cheer you on first-hand? Join ACP’s thriving community of 36,000+ Veteran and Military Spouse Alumni and apply for your free year- long one-on-one mentorship today.
