Her Story
About Fatimah
My career journey has been one of resilience and transformation. I studied Environmental Health and Safety Management with an emphasis in HR at Pittsburg State University, where I was blessed to secure internships every semester during my academic studies. After graduation, I worked as a safety supervisor in construction and then contributed to COVID prevention program in Joplin, Missouri, using my safety background. Working in a male-dominated field was challenging - I faced skepticism and had to constantly prove myself. As a single mother of four children, I wanted to work in a field where I could be more myself as a woman and as a mother, and lead future generations. Two years ago, I transitioned to education. Between my bachelor's and master's degrees, I went through about four years of recovery and healing from domestic violence, during which I received lifetime protection for me and my kids. During that time, I couldn't even read a book due to trauma, but I started my own catering and cleaning business, building clients and reconnecting with my community. Last year, people reached out and told me they believed in me, which motivated me to return to thriving. Now I work as a graduate teaching assistant while pursuing my master's in HR at Pittsburg State University and I teach at Fort Scott Community College, run my LLC doing catering and post-construction cleaning including biohazard cleanup, serve as an interpreter for refugee programs through Catholic Charities in Southeast Kansas, and volunteer as a leader for Girl Scouts Missouri Heartland. My main area of expertise is business and HR, because in those fields you can manage your own small business and use coaching and mentoring skills in education. When you come from nothing, you want to have everything - you want to use your brains and your skills.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Fatimah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the fact that I kept going and didn't give up. I come from a bad life experience with domestic violence. There were about five years between my bachelor's and master's degrees when I was recovering and healing - I couldn't even read a book because my eyes couldn't see the words due to the trauma and concussion syndrome. But I took my time to heal, and while doing that, I started my own small business with cleaning and catering. I survived and built clients, reconnecting with the community and people I knew from my college years. Last year, I realized I could do it again - I could get my master's and do it all. People reached out to me saying they believed in me and thought I could do it, and my current job motivated me to go back to where I was as a thriving person who wants to do more for my kids and myself. It takes one person to believe in you, and then you can do it again. When you come from nothing, you want to have everything - you want to use your brains and your skills.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Ask. Do it now. Start now. Work hard on yourself. You attract success when you work hard on yourself, you become an attractive person.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think asking for help is not a bad thing - it's actually a good thing. Don't feel afraid to ask, and don't feel ashamed to ask for help. Ask for advice, ask for guidance, ask for mentorship. That's what I did to get out of that whole experience and rebuild my mindset again, to be able to educate and receive education.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is keeping up with the rapid changes in workforce needs, especially as technology, training methods, and workplace expectations continue to evolve. Many organizations still struggle to connect learning and development with real, measurable outcomes, which creates a gap between training and performance.
At the same time, this presents a major opportunity. There is a growing demand for professionals who can design meaningful learning experiences, support diverse populations, and create inclusive environments. In my work across education, workforce development, and small business, I see a strong need for practical, people-centered solutions whether it’s helping adult learners build foundational skills or supporting employees through training and growth. Bridging that gap between education and real-world application is where I see the greatest impact and opportunity.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and personal life are integrity, resilience, and service to others. Integrity is important to me because I believe in showing up honestly, doing meaningful work, and building trust in every space I’m part of.
Resilience has shaped my journey balancing education, career growth, and personal challenges has taught me to keep moving forward and adapt through difficult moments. I carry that mindset into everything I do.
Service is at the core of my purpose. Whether I’m teaching, supporting students, running my business, or working within my community, I value creating opportunities for others and making a positive impact. I believe success is not just personal it’s about uplifting others along the way.
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