A very sincere “Thank You” goes out to all of you who have made this year another very successful one for Penn Foster. Between new product launches and a 97% satisfaction rate among our graduates, the future has never been brighter for Penn Foster, our students, and our graduates.

Sure, it’s true that we’ve all faced some economic challenges this past year, and maybe we can’t help but feel a twinge of “good riddance” when we close 2008. But, we usher in 2009 with wide-eyed optimism, hope, and anticipation of better things to come.

When you decided to further your education, your eyes were fixed on the future...2009 and beyond. You’re not waiting for “better things” to come to you, you’re going to make “better things” happen! At Penn Foster we may supply the training, but you supply the passion and determination. It’s your resolve to make positive change materialize which sets you apart. You’re expanding your career opportunities, making your dreams a reality, fulfilling a promise that you made to yourself when you enrolled with Penn Foster—the promise of a better life for you and your family.

So, as you progress through your lessons, continually remind yourself of your goals. Keep in mind that when you complete your program and have your diploma or certificate in hand, you can be confident that you’ve put yourself firmly on the road to success and laid a solid foundation for a profitable future. Here’s to a healthy, successful, and prosperous 2009 for all!

The Faculty and Staff at Penn Foster Career School

JANET B. from Accra, Ghana

“I like distance learning because it allows me enough time to do other things and learn at my own pace… All the learning materials are exactly all I need for my work.”

Dressmaking and design is a favorite pastime of Janet B., and she certainly has the talent for it. But now Janet has started her own business using her training and talents. She is on the final project of the Penn Foster Dressmaking and Design Program and has already attracted a clientele. Distance education for Janet worked for the convenience of time. “I like distance learning because it allows me enough time to do other things and learn at my own pace.” She found her texts for the program valuable in their instruction and this added to the convenience of distance education for her. “All the learning materials are exactly all I need for my work.”

Janet also completed the first semester of the Human Resources Management Associate Degree Program and intends to continue when she is finished with the Dressmaking and Design Program. She volunteered at an Employment Resource Center in Accra, helping participants through career management and self-employment workshops and found the work satisfying and challenging.

We wish you much success with your business, Janet.

SADIKI M. of Ugunja, Kenya

Sadiki is a promising example
of someone seizing opportunities
to improve his own life.

According to Cleopa Otieno, in an African tech blog, Sadiki relocated to Kenya from Tanzania. Having little exposure to computers, and fluent in Kiswahili but speaking little English, he was able to successfully complete computer training thanks to a grant from Microsoft® Unlimited Potential. This knowledge opened other doors; he then enrolled in the Penn Foster Dental Assistant Program. He didn’t have access to a credit card for tuition payment online, but discovered the school offered an alternative—he is making monthly tuition payments through Western Union money transfers.

Sadiki has exploited the potential of technology and the Internet, the availability of distance education, corporate community investment grants, and his own initiative and desire. He is working toward his goal of obtaining a degree in dental studies. Currently, Sadiki is a clinical officer with the St. Paul’s Health Centre, which is an initiative of the Ugunja Community Resource Centre (UCRC). Read more about him in the original blog at: tunafunga.com.

Source: tunafunga.com September 8th, 2008

Penn Foster now offers more than 19 focused Certificate Programs designed to provide the fundamentals in select fields of study. These shorter, concentrated programs are suited to individuals working in a particular field. The newest Certificate Programs just released are:
• Bed and Breakfast
Management Certificate
• Essentials of Business
Security Certificate
• Automotive Transmissions
Essentials Certificate

Attention Graduates! There is no one better qualified to encourage our students than someone who has personally experienced and met the challenges of distance learning. Many students need inspiration, motivation, and support just to enroll, as well as continue with and complete their studies. Email your story to: [email protected], or mail it to Jim Healey, c/o Penn Foster, 925 Oak St., Scranton, PA 18515, USA. We would love to hear from you.

Ugunja Community
  Resource Centre
Microsoft® Corporate
  Community Tech Skills
Where Do You Fit In?
Improv Everywhere

Penn Foster News Archive