“I have experience working in the office atmosphere. I don’t want to go back to working at Carl’s Jr. or McDonald’s... I want to be able to go up rather than back again. A lot of employers ask for experience, but how are you supposed to get the experience if they won’t give you a try?”

The Biggest Dreams

Karen Christie is a single mother of three who began taking classes at Monterey Peninsula College in 1996. Her major is Medical Office Administration.

To be able to support my children

to have a regular house with a yard

for my kids to ride their bikes in

to have a garden for myself

to dip my hands into soil

push the dirt around the stems

of yellow rose bushes

to be free from the welfare ropes around my mind

Soon I’ll need two jobs and childcare

and where will school fit

Childcare is almost like rent—

$80 each for my two oldest

and $100 for my youngest

he was still in diapers

and that was for a week

They tell me I’ll make more money

if I’m working —

every time I make $100

they take $100 away

take spaghetti corn sneakers jeans

away from my children

take money away from my rent

I don’t see how to catch up—

in big lettering they want me OFF

-Julie Bliss