How University of Phoenix Alumna Tammie Otukwu Serves Military Veterans and Her Community
Working adults have redirected, shaped and developed their careers by studying at University of Phoenix, which encourages students to pursue educational goals that align with their interests. Alumna Tammie Otukwu is a great example of a graduate who has gone on to follow an inspiring, multi-faceted career. Here, we’ll explore how Otukwu found her career path with University of Phoenix and has gone from serving the military to supporting veterans and her local community.
Tammie Otukwu’s Military Roots
Otukwu’s father worked in the military, which saw Otukwu travel the U.S. and Germany before turning 10, when her father retired from the Army. This childhood backdrop set the scene for Otukwu’s own military career, which she would embark on later. When Otukwu’s parents divorced, she moved to Georgia to live with her mother and grandmother. Otukwu describes her grandmother as a “no-nonsense” woman who had “more than 10 children” and was a “force to reckon with.”
Years later, Otukwu’s husband also enlisted in the military, and the couple traveled with their young daughter to support his career until their divorce a few years later. Otukwu then enlisted in the Army herself. When speaking to University of Phoenix, she reflected on her first day of training, explaining that while the drill sergeants yelled and screamed, she felt this was nothing compared to her grandmother’s approach to discipline.
Although Otukwu only planned to serve for four years before returning to education, she ended up dedicating over 26 years to the Army, serving as a dental hygienist and then as a human resources specialist.
Tammie Otukwu’s University of Phoenix Studies
When Otukwu finally decided to pursue her education, she moved to Nashville and chose to study at University of Phoenix, primarily because of its flexible study options. She completed two master’s degrees from the University: a Master of Management in 2006 and a Master of Psychology in 2012. While studying, she also signed up for the Active Guard Reserve.
How Tammie Otukwu Serves Veterans and Her Community
Nashville is also where Otukwu met her second husband, with whom she has a son. When she moved to the area, she first took up a position with a nonprofit organization called Operation Stand Down Tennessee, which provides military veterans with career services, benefits, transitional housing and similar services. Here, she worked to combat veteran homelessness and suicidal ideation.
Life Coaching for Veterans
Otukwu’s work with Operation Stand Down Tennessee kickstarted a wider collection of work that she has since undertaken to serve veterans. Not only is she now a legal administrative specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but she also works as a life coach for veterans. She compares working in the Army to working as a life coach, explaining that while soldiers must automatically come up with solutions when problems arise, life coaches step back and help those who are experiencing problems take ownership of these challenges.
War After the Military
On top of this, Otukwu has written a book, War After the Military, which started as a thank-you letter to her pastor and mother but soon evolved into an exploration of transitioning out of the military. Otukwu hopes that her book can raise awareness of why it’s so important to support military veterans.
Chairing the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in Nashville’s Health Committee
Military aside, Otukwu supports her community by serving as the chair of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in Nashville’s health committee. This organization advocates for Black women and girls. Otukwu explains that serving our communities and those in need is integral to becoming a better nation. “We’ve gotta have that mindset,” she said. “If nobody served, we wouldn’t be where we are today. It’s something that we all should be impacted to do. It’s our responsibility.”
Supporting and Inspiring the Local Community
Having now hosted a careers day at a local middle school, during which Otukwu encouraged each student to produce a vision board to help them think about their future vocations, Otukwu now hopes to take on public speaking or mentoring projects so she can continue to support and inspire those in her local community.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is committed to advancing the educational goals of its adult and nontraditional learners in part by allowing students to select the career options and degree programs that best suit their interests. The University’s degree programs lead to numerous in-demand career paths, such as roles in cybersecurity, nursing and business. These programs also provide flexible start dates, online classes and countless scholarship opportunities so all students can earn the degree they need to get ahead.
Meanwhile, University of Phoenix’s Career Services for Life® commitment to active students and graduates provides the resources that students need to prepare for opportunities in the workplace for no additional charge. These career services include resume and interview support, career guidance and education and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.