From a single parent family where her mother worked to support her and an older sister, Karen was distracted during secondary school days but managed to complete O levels. She started work at 17 as a bank teller to support herself and to relieve her mother’s financial burden.

Karen realised that she needed additional qualifications to get a better job so she upgraded with courses in secretarial work, book-keeping and administrative management.

Time management was challenging as she had to manage two young children, work and study part time.

Karen is currently pursuing an MBA in Business Administration at Ottawa University.