Feature #52: LaQuesha J. Anderson, Graphic Designer...

Name: LaQuesha J. Anderson

Current Job Position Title: Graphic Designer/Web Designer/Marketer

Company Name: Nestle'/Gerber Life

Contact Information: 810-610-3192

Special skills: Sing, Draw, Paint, Sculpt, Act, write music, video production, and photography.

Describe your job story:
It was my internship and they loved me and now won't let me leave lol.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
i wanted to be an actress or an artist...i didn't like the spotlight or attention i get irritated after a while, so artiste it was!

Are doing your dream job?
yes, sort of...i want to own my own Design house one day :)

What do you like MOST about what you do? 
I get paid a lot for sometimes doing nothing :)

What do you like the LEAST?
I don't have enough to do..design wise. :(
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
living in the south (Florida) in Grad school or somewhere I got hired into, and still grad school for marketing.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
I have to say...I am! :)

What more do you want to do with your life?
Learn more about photography it goes with my career. go to grad school. work for Disney, or some creative company like that for  while.I want a husband, some babies, a nice home (large i like space), good cars (suvs im tall),my successful design and production company,some other business ventures.Own an aerial studio teaching silks, trapeze, Lyra and pole dance. Well off not rich but comfortable enough to travel wherever, whenever, not struggling. Happy, in love, loved, cherished, at peace.

What drives/motivates you?
God, my unborn babies,Urban children...me.

What else do you do?
I read, relax, stay stress free, write, same as skills. Work out,photography,videography, pole dance (not a stripper) aerial arts.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Stay encouraged, its easier for me to say it, but its even for me to tell you because i came from nothing. Before nestle' I was eating Native American fry bread no food in my home and barely any cash. I not only got an internship but I also got a job in my field, only God can answer those prayers even if you aren't religious....stay positive and now all bad things come to an end and good things will come to those who wait. Its a tough road to success but the finish line is sweet. I know I moved with 38 dollars in my pocket only thing i had was hope that i cant do any worse, i can only do better. best decision i made was to move out of my hometown. i was going nowhere fast.now i'm going everywhere fast and its all good. :)

Feature #51: G. E. Johnson, Indie Author

Name: Gerria Johnson (Pen Name: G.E. Johnson)

Current Job Position Title: Indie Author

Company Name: G.E. Johnson Media

Contact Information:
info@gejohnsonmedia.com or at my website: http://www.gejohnsonmedia.com/ ; Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/gejohnsonfans ; Twitter http://twitter.com/writermom2011

Special skills: writing, self-publishing; career background in business & finance

Describe your job story:
I am the author of the Amazon best seller "Love & Wrath: The Beginning" and the newly released "Love & Wrath II: Confessions" with audio accompaniment.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
I actually wanted to be a doctor all through childhood. It wasn't until my first semester in the Pre-Med program at Vanderbilt University that I realized that it was not the career for me.

Are you doing your dream job?
Yes, I believe that I am. I have always been an avid reader and in my teens, I started to write poetry and then prose. In my early 20's, I made a resolution that I would write for a living. After actually putting that resolution on hold for more "practical" plans, I have found my way back to the original plan.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
What I like most about being an author is the freedom to create. When you develop a story, you are free to venture as far away from reality or as close to reality as you dare. What I like least about writing is the editing process. It's a tedious process, but necessary.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next 5 years, I see myself with several more books on the market and also more involved in other forms of media. I also see me more deeply immersed in non-profit projects that revolve around community development.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
As the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12, I have learned to be content in all circumstances, both in poverty and prosperity. Do I strive for higher levels of achievement and greater prosperity? Always, but during the journey, I am determined to enjoy God's gifts of peace and joy.

What more do you want to do with your life?
I'm looking forward to going as far as God will take me. I have lots of ideas for creative projects and as I mentioned before, I have plans to get into community development through non-profit efforts in the areas of public services and affordable housing.

What drives/motivates you?
I believe that we all have purpose for our lives and I am driven by the desire to fulfill my purpose to the best of my ability. I am motivated by a need to create an honorable legacy for my daughter and to leave behind that legacy as a foundation for her life as well as for her children and her childrens' children.

What else do you do?
Right now, I am writing full time. Along with my published works, I also provide content for two blogs and serve as a volunteer for the WoMen's Literary Cafe, an organization designed to bring together authors, readers, bloggers and other members of the literary community. I also handle all of the marketing and promotions for my books.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Never give up! Keep searching and stay prayerful for an open door. In the meanwhile, do some thinking about ways that you can use your own hands to create wealth. If you have a gift or talent, seek out ways to turn those things into income producing activities.

Feature #50: Naomi Bonman, Staff Writer

Name: Naomi Bonman

Current Job Position Title: Staff Writer/Office Assistant

Company Name: Inland Valley News

Contact Information: Naomi Bonman, 951-809-9015, naomibonman@yahoo.com

Special skills: event planning, graphic design, playwright, editing, photography

Describe your job story:
I work as a staff writer where I get to interview several interesting people throughout the community. I have interviewed and done stories on the Laker girls, elected officials, upcoming musicians, youth who are achieving and a countless number of others. I'm definitely blessed to be doing something that I love, and getting paid for it is a bonus. 

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
First I wanted to be a doctor, then i wanted be a lawyer and then it was a journalist later on in life, but I was always writing since I was 12. I always admired Oprah though. I used to watch her at the age of 3, so I always wanted to go in her direction and be like her.

Are doing your dream job?
Yes, I feel like I'm finally beginning to scratch the surface, but there still a lot more to come. My rocket is just now taking off.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I love getting to meet new people and networking the most. The only thing I probably like the least is when people take forever to send you a photo after a phone interview and you have to keep reminding them to send one.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Becoming a well known Journalist and playwright, event planner and having my non-profit launched.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
Yes, now I'am.
What more do you want to do with your life?
To keep skyrocketing in my career, to continue strengthening my relationship with  Christ, get married, travel the world and eventually start a family.

What drives/motivates you?
God and my faith in Him. He keeps going and reaching and accomplishing all of my goals.

What else do you do?
I also have an online magazine that I started in July 2010. There's a total of 10 staff writers. http://www.urbancentricmagazine.com/
What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
To keep their faith in God and to keep praying and going after the job/career that they want. There are always going to be those who will discourage you, telling you that there is nothing out there fur you because they couldn't find anything. Also utilize your resources and start networking. Usually people you know can help you find employment.

Feature #49: L.N. Blount, Associate Director

Name: L.N. Blount

Current Job Position Title: Associate Director

Company Name: Waller Pregnancy Care Center

Contact Information:  http://www.wtloutreach.com/,  http://www.wallerpregnancycare.org/ and lottiablount@wtloutreach.com

Special skills: The gift to encourage, lead, follow, direct, and LOVE

Describe your job story:
WTL-The Way Truth and Life Outreach (WTL-Outreach) is a 501c3 non-profit organization.  WTL Outreach is a faith based ministry whose mission is to reach out to pregnant, parenting and married youth and their babies so that they can maintain family unity and integrity. Committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ, we provide crisis care, emotional support, health and social services to young men, women and children in need. 

I am the Associate Director at the Waller Pregnancy Care Center (a subsidiary of WTL-Outreach).   Waller Pregnancy Care Center a life-affirming, evangelistic ministry offering hope to all women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy and related sexual issues with no fee for service.

§  Free pregnancy tests for women to confirm pregnancy in the early stages.
§  Pregnancy options counseling with trained counselors that assist clients in making critical life decisions during pregnancy.
§  Pre-natal counseling and mentoring.
§  Abortion alternatives: Parenting and Adoption information.
§  Abstinence information and support.
§  Sexually transmitted disease information.     
§  Earn While You Learn Program (Educational classes with baby supply incentives). 

I participate in training and supervising staff and volunteers.  I manage the billing, inventory, and supply orders in accordance with the center's budget.  I conduct client assessments and counseling sessions involving gathering and evaluating client data.  In addition to overseeing the center, I personally counsel and teach pregnancy and parenting classes to moms and dads.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? lawyer

Are doing your dream job?
I am definitely doing the mission part of my dream job--working with the people first hand. I want to extend my dream job into the law industry focusing on policy.  There is no ONE dream job.  My dream job entails much more..

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 
I love encouraging education, inspiring new moms to press toward the mark of the high calling, and being a living witness and inspiration that life with children does not stop your dreams. 

Counseling and mentoring on the importance of relationships brings forth joy as well.  It is tough at times to educate on the effects abortion and post abortion physically and mentally can have on a woman.  However the center offers spiritual counseling to comfort and help those moms that have experienced this hardship cope from any guilt, shame, or other emotions that have cloudy them.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Director of the Waller Pregnancy Care Center and finish applying for law school

Are you happy with where you are in life?
God makes no mistakes and as long as i walk under his leadership i am always happy in my position in life.

What more do you want to do with your life?
Extend my family by one, a mission trip in and out of the country, and a nice blue water/white sand getaway with my husband :)

What drives/motivates you?
My son and husband push me to live out my dreams. 

What else do you do?
I am a full time Masters of Social Work student in my concentration year at at the University of Southern California "GO TROJANS," a full time wife, mother, and faithful member of Christ Restoration Tabernacle under the leadership of Apostle Jeffery Boggas and Pastor D'Angela Boggas.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope? 
Ground your life in Christ and keep following.  The road is not easy and there are going to be many many many days that it seems like all hope is gone. however, watch the words that depart from your lips.  Speak the truth about your destiny and keep believing in the manifestation. 

Feature #48: Gina Metheny, Special Education Teacher

Name: Gina Metheny

Current Job Position Title: Special Education Teacher K-3

Company Name: South Vermillion Community Schools 

Contact Information: rissa722@yahoo.com
                                   
Describe your job story: 
I went to Indiana State University, where I double majored in Elementary and Special Education.  I got a dual degree to help me find a job, with every intention of getting into an elementary general education position at some point.  I started at an elementary school in 4th and 5th grade special education.  I was rifed (spelling?) {reduction in force) at the end of the year.  I got called back to teach special education math at the high school.  I hated teaching at the high school! 

At the end of the year an opening was posted for a different elementary special education position.  The teacher at the elementary school I went to elementary school at, was retiring! :)  I put in for the position and got it.  I was going back to elementary school, thank goodness.  I taught K-5 special education the past two year there.  The number of students was high, so this year they hired another special education teacher.  I got to choose which grades I wanted.  Based on numbers, it was either K-3 or 4-5.  I chose K-3 and it's been great!  It's so much better being able to plan things and feel like something is getting accomplished instead of hurrying to get the kids through things and back to class. (We have inclusion at the school I teach at.)

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 
I wanted to be a teacher. :)

Are doing your dream job?  Not really sure...

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 
I like seeing the students accomplish something that's been hard for them.  When it finally clicks for them, they are so excited.  I dislike the lack of parent support with several of my students.  I also dislike when students don't try.  Some of them give up before they've attempted anything.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 
I see myself as a stay at home mom within the next 5 years.

Are you happy with where you are in life? Yup

What more do you want to do with your life?
Have kids, travel...this has nothing to do with my job...

What drives/motivates you? free time

What else do you do?  read, church, Tri Kappa, etc.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope? 
Apply everywhere, even if it's not what you want to do, it may be a way into something you do want to do.  A job may just be something to pay the bills until the right job comes along, but at least it's a job.  Whatever the case, things will get better.  Trust in God.