“This program didn’t just open a door; it helped me rediscover my identity and step into a career I love.”
As a military spouse for over 20 years, Tiffany Paugh grew accustomed to starting over with every move. But building a career of her own always felt out of reach.
She traveled from coast to coast and even across the ocean alongside her husband, Robert. They made stops in South Carolina, California, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and Hawaii.
Now living in Pennsylvania, she received her master’s degree from Penn State University in March 2025. While re-entering the workforce felt overwhelming, she was ready to take the next step.
“Rejection letters from jobs that I had applied to kept rolling in," she says. "My spirit and drive were struggling to keep the fight up."
After her husband found success transitioning to a civilian career through the UPMC Pathways for Veterans program, Tiffany decided to give it a try.
The Pathways for Veterans program launched in 2021. It aims to increase veteran hiring by providing a personalized approach to the job search and application process. The program has since expanded to serve military spouses and family members.
“Like a knight in shining armor, this opportunity presented itself to me,” Tiffany says. “I was lucky enough to be one of the first spouses to join the program.”
Tiffany landed a six-month paid internship through a new collaboration between UPMC Health Plan and ULEAD. It was crafted to her interests in pursuing a career in human resources.
She connected with Erik Orient, director of Military and Veterans Affairs, UPMC Health Plan, and the Pathways for Veterans team. ULEAD’s founder, Brigette Bethea, is also a veteran, with more than a decade of experience in the U.S. Army.
“(They) took the time to understand my story and help me translate years of military life experience into real professional value,” Tiffany says. “(These) programs gave me the opportunity, support, tools, and belief I needed to move forward with purpose.”
The program allowed her to explore several areas of human resources. She built meaningful connections and gained hands-on experience. She credits all those things for helping to reignite her confidence.
In November 2025, she turned those opportunities and skills into a new job. She is now a human resources consultant at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside. She gets to apply the same resilience, adaptability, and empathy that shaped her as a military spouse.
“This program didn’t just open a door; it helped me rediscover my identity and step into a career I love,” Tiffany says.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means helping military veterans and spouses transition to meaningful and rewarding careers.
