Northwest Michigan Works! Helps Immigrant Get an Education and a Job

 

When Sarah Picklesimer moved to the United States from Liberia she didn’t have much formal education. But she did know that if she wanted to accomplish much in the U.S. she would need an education. That’s why she came to the Northwest Michigan Works! Adult Education Learning Lab in Manistee.

“You have every opportunity to be anything you want to be in this country,” said Picklesimer. “Just go to school and learn.”

Picklesimer has spent a lot of time at the Learning Lab working on English as a second language and says she’s seen a big improvement in what she is able to do.

“You come here and they’ll teach you whatever you want to learn,” said Picklesimer. “They’re there for you. It’s great.”

While she has been learning Picklesimer has also been working. The Michigan Works! staff helped her with her résumé and helped her land a job with a local healthcare provider.

“All you need to do is come in here and they’ll help you,” said Picklesimer. “You just have to want it.”

Even though she is working full time, Picklesimer continues to come to the Learning Lab to work on her GED. She says eventually she’d like to go on to college and she encourages other people to use the services offered by Michigan Works!

“Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Just come in here and they’ll help you,” said Picklesimer. “That’s why they’re here, to help you.”

 

 

 

Related Info:  Adult Learning Labs  |  Job Seeker Services