Penny Simiyu:  

was closed down as the owners were misappropriating funds (our tuition). Then, I went to a six month social organizing apprenticehsip out in St. Paul, MN and I learned a lot. From there it was on to grant writing at MSUM. After that, it was on to get my Associates at Aakers Business College...Legal Executive Administrative Assistant. Since then, it's been classes here and there as I feel the needs...so nonprofit management and what-not through North Dakota State College of Science, etc. Education, for me, is never ending. I love to learn and I find it opens quite a few doors. Workplace I worked as a CNA in private home health for three years, from there it was onto office/administrative work, then community organizing (think pickets, rallies and protests...I got paid to organize those) and public education (I taught). After that, more office work, social service type work, 3 years at an administrative outsourcing business and then onto Legal and Corporate affairs at a major software company. That wasn't for me and so I am now working 3 part-time jobs, primarily for the flexibility that I need to raise my kids. I do alright...make enough to make ends meet and we aren't lacking when it comes to entertainment and extras. My jobs? I work part-time at an alcohol and drug treatment center. I work part-time at a facility that serves as an alternative to juvenile detention. I work part-time as a Church Secretary. All three are a far stretch from the corporate world I've been working in and they pay less, but I find the work so much more rewarding.