My name is Paula Sind-Prunier, but most people in cyberworld know me as The Career Coach. I currently work as an investigator for a federal agency in Washington DC. I earned my bachelor's degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology (emphasizing career guidance and placement, and leadership development), and went on to earn my masters' and doctoral degrees in psychology and engineering, respectively (any Virginia Tech alumni out there?)
That may sound like a strange combination, but it's almost perfect for the kind of work I'm doing now, and for the kinds of work I've done in my previous positions as a researcher with the Army, Coast Guard, Navy, and several major corporations. I also spent a number of years as a university professor in engineering, psychology, engineering management, and philosophy (ethics); served as TQM program manager for an Army command; and operated a forensic engineering consulting firm, until other opportunities beckoned (okay, until my husband was transferred...)
This web site is one of the ways I try to give back to the military community (and occupy my time after the kids go to bed.) I have an interest in the professional aspirations of military spouses, because several of my best friends are career-oriented military spouses... and so am I; my husband is in his 22nd year in the Navy. In the course of his career and our marriage, I've been employed in civil service, the private sector, the non-profit sector, and self-employed. I'm an avid volunteer, having helped out the Spouse Employment Assistance Program at the Naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut before transferring to the National Capital Region this past year. I'm a former Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society caseworker and COV, and was a member of Rotary International (my "civilian connection") until our most recent PCS. Currently, I volunteer as a legislative issues specialist for the National Military Family Association, where I'm able to take my commitment to military spouses' careers and education to a new level-- by teaming with the only organization that has over 30 years' experience advocating for the needs of military families. I am a firm believer in the notion that volunteer opportunities can help you to develop valuable, career-enhancing and professionally rewarding skills, not to mention that volunteering can be fun, and a great way to meet people. For me, my volunteer activities have helped to satisfy my desire to accomplish things when my employment situation was "in a slump" (working, but just not feeling any satisfaction from it.) I am also active in the professional societies of my discipline, particularly in promoting the professional development of others. I really miss being a professor-- my greatest satisfaction comes from helping others to "Be All That They Can Be"-- whether it's my kids, my husband, my students, my co-workers and colleagues, or other military spouses, I love seeing the joy and satisfaction that comes with individuals' achievement. I think that's why I loved my job in TQM and Reengineering/Reinvention advocacy-- helping not only people but an organization to "Be All That It Could Be." (This time, I really am talking about the Army... 
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(And just so that you don't think that I'm just a heartless overachiever who doesn't know how to have any REAL fun, I also enjoy playing golf, sailing, camping and hiking with my husband and kids, lighthouses (sightseeing & collecting replicas and memorabilia), gourmet (and not-so-gourmet) cooking, working around the house (I've remodeled the kitchen and am getting ready to lay ceramic tile-- what an experience!), all kinds of music, and riding bikes, doing homework, reading, and visiting the Smithsonian with my little ones!)
I include this personal information about myself only for these reasons: I want you to feel comfortable talking to me, via e-mail, so it's only fair that I introduce myself. I also want you to realize that I've been there, and I share many of the same concerns and joys of other military spouses who want to see their partner succeed in the military, but would like to achieve their own goals and dreams, too. This web site is my way of helping, sharing, encouraging, and benefiting from the comraderie of other career-oriented military spouses.
