OCCUPATION: DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND COUNSELING
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Name: Letty Herndon
Agency: American Woman’s Economic Development Corp.
Job description: “AWED is dedicated to helping women start and manage their own businesses. I am responsible for organizing classes and making sure they are filled. I also conduct interviews and group counseling sessions. Another part of my job is to get out into the community and get the word out about AWED. I often speak at local chambers of commerce and professional organizations. This helps me find potential volunteer trainers and guest speakers.”
Thumbs up: “The women themselves are the best part of my job. They bring an incredible amount of energy and dedication to our classes and programs. I am rejuvenated every time we kick off a new class. It’s a joy to see them succeed.”
Thumbs down: “The job requires many hours spent tracking and monitoring our progress. But without these measures we wouldn’t have any way of assessing our methods.”
Next step: “The Orange County office is the newest addition to AWED, and we are working to expand our activities here. I have lined up an interesting roster of volunteer teachers from the numerous women there who have succeeded in starting their own businesses.”
Advice: “You have to have a passion for and be an advocate of women. We are there to provide the support they need to become entrepreneurs.”
Salary range: $30,000 to $60,000. Amount varies among agencies and funding sources.
Hours: “It is not unusual to work 12-hour days on a routine basis. Weekend work is required during special seminars.”
Educational and training requirements: “It varies according to the organization you work for. I have a degree in business administration. But other AWED directors have backgrounds in education and public relations. The most important thing is the desire to help bring others along. Volunteer work in teaching and giving presentations has really helped me.”
Major employers : Nonprofit and government-sponsored economic development organizations.
For more information: Contact the Orange County AWED office at (714) 755-8010.
Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times
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