Guest columnist: Brandi Bozarth, formerly of Scott Valley and Yreka, completed the College of the Siskiyous Entry Level Office Workers course in October, 1998. Following completion of the course she and her son Isaac moved to Davis, California to seek employment. In this column, Ms. Bozarth shares with other students the value of pursuing an education and how education builds self-confidence.

In the fall of 1998 I enrolled in a six-week Entry Level Office Workers (ELOW) course at College of the Siskiyous and completed it. After receiving my Certificate of Completion, I moved to Davis, California, to seek employment, and the very next day was offered a position as a legal secretary, and the following day, I interviewed for a receptionist position for a computer repair company. I decided to accept the receptionist position as the benefits were better. Within one month, I was promoted to a Customer Service Representative and received another raise and an excellent benefit package.

I was truly stunned by the immediate success I found upon completing the ELOW course because I thought of myself only a beginner…. an entry-level employee. I came into the job market with three college courses, math, English, psychology and the skills I had learned in the ELOW program. The program includes four classes, Business English, Introduction to Microcomputers, using Microsoft Office ’97 – Word, Excel and Access, Keyboarding and Employment Preparation Skills. All of these skills were acquired in this intensive 6-week program!

Without this course I know I would have never gained the self-confidence, self-esteem, or skill level that I now have. I want to thank my instructors, Judy Crawford, Valerie Roberts and Margie Kurko for all the hard work they put into this high performance program. I know the amount of energy they personally put into planning and instructing program and how hard they worked to accommodate everyone’s level of need.

At the same time, I would like to share a bit of advice to anyone who is considering enrolling in the program or who has enrolled in this program – "stick it out!" It is so worth it. As a former resident of Siskiyou County, I understand just how hard it is to get a job in Siskiyou County. But if you can just stay in the program, you will be a winner – even if you don’t immediately get a job. You will complete the program with invaluable knowledge, newly found self-confidence and self-esteem, which will take you into the job market with very good skills but also confidence that will stay with you for the rest of your life. As you have gained these qualities, opportunities come your way!

My current job is satisfying and extremely challenging. Dealing with customers on a first-hand basis requires diplomacy and tact, as well as maintaining a large database of customer information, many spreadsheets, status reports, and extensive filing and retrieval of customer documentation. However, education is still on my mind. I plan to pursue a counseling certificate in the area of drug and alcohol to specialize in working with the children of addicts.

I am proud of the fact that I am no longer receiving any AID from the County, which is an extremely wonderful feeling to have. Good luck to all of you seeking fulfilling employment.

I would also like to say something about the Siskiyou County welfare system. I want to speak to those who are in the position that I was not so long ago. I had to go into welfare like many other single mothers who were not receiving help from the baby’s father. When I went on the system, I knew there had to be some way, some sort of program, that could help me to get off of the system as fast as possible.

I spent three months trying to find an answer -- I asked and I asked and I asked. However, County employees were not able to find an answer for me.

I also knew I wanted to start taking classes at COS, so I went there and looked through a schedule of classes to find those that were of interest and those that could help me to get off the system. Well, low and behold, there it was, exactly what I was looking for, the ELOW course.

I cannot help but wonder why the County had not told me about this program. The next step was to find the funds to pay for the classes. I didn't qualify for financial aid because my husband was still claiming me at that time. The County said they couldn't do anything for me, but as I persisted, they were finally able to pay for the whole course.

My point for bringing this matter up is to point out the fact that the County can help people like me to get off the welfare system.

To me, it felt as if they were trying to keep me on the system instead of trying to help me get me off of it. I wanted nothing more than to make something of myself, and they made it very hard to do. I am a very strong willed woman; most people would not have kept bugging them to help them to go to school as I did.

Finally, I want to say to those working for the County Welfare system that they need to be aware of the harm they are doing to women and men who want to make something of themselves. When you are down and out it is so easy to give up and that is the exact direction they are push recipients when they deny education.

To those looking for a way to become self reliant, PLEASE don't give up on yourself, where there is a will there is a way. Pursue it, for yourself, your children, your future. Look to COS!