Recently I made a decision that will change my life. In many cases, those decisions are the hardest and scariest. I have chosen to leave my job and enhance my career. In this economy, that can be hard – but surely not impossible.

Three years ago I was thrust into the work force after a divorce. Like many single moms, after being fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, I was terrified. How was I going to manage a full-time job? How was I going to pay the bills? How was I going to parent alone? I was a deer in headlights with the world spinning in front of me.

I was lucky enough to meet DaAnne Smith, executive director of Single Mothers Outreach, through a panic-stricken phone call about my future. She believed in me, and I often think about what I must have looked like as that frightened single mom, sitting in her office for an interview.

DaAnne hired me, and quickly we became colleagues and friends. She instilled confidence in me, and I thrived as the organization’s director of programs and services. I quickly learned how to manage a full-time job and home life – and I was paying my bills! I was going to be just fine, thanks to her.

Three years later, as a confident, trained employee, I am ready to move on and expand my career. It would be easy for me to stay in my current position, but I need to expand my horizons.

You might ask why someone would voluntarily leave any job during these hard times. First and foremost, I believe I should be following the path that is right for me and not just stay because it would be the easier way. I believe in challenging myself.

Second, I need to guarantee finances in six years for my daughter, to give her a chance for a college career, the same as my parents did for me.

I believe I am an excellent program planner. I have exceptional organizing, planning and detail-oriented skills. I have planned many successful programs and fundraisers for national and local companies.

I have been taking the advice of the various employment centers in Santa Clarita including the Worksource Center and Career Center at College of the Canyons, as well as the brand-new Goodwill Career Center – but what I need is someone to believe in me like DaAnne did. My passion and great joy are seeing that my hard work and dedication come to fruition. I am a creative thinker, self motivated, and truly dedicated.

This is what DaAnne says about me:

“Are you looking for a reliable, hard-working and competent person to add to your team? Jennifer Kennedy’s No. 1 strength is, she is responsible. She owns what she takes responsibility for – projects, programs, events, etc., and does so with excellence.”

Won’t you believe in me and help me to move forward? I may be exactly what you have been searching for. Please contact me at jjkennedy2013@gmail.com.

Jennifer Kennedy is a Santa Clarita resident.