As a new STEP-UP Achieve intern at Hennepin County, Maruf never imagined that one day he would have a permanent job there.  “I didn’t even speak that much English back then,” says Maruf. Originally from Ethiopia, Maruf moved to Minnesota from Kenya in 2004.  He attended Wellstone International High School and heard about STEP-UP Achieve at school. 

Maruf’s  STEP-UP journey began in the summer of 2006 when he interned in the Hennepin County Office of Multi-Cultural Services.  He worked as an Oromo interpreter and learned all about community outreach and customer service.  His supervisor Thomas Monjeau made a big impression on him. 

“I don’t think I’d be where I am today without Tom,” says Maruf. “He understood cultural differences.  He always encouraged me and wished me the best.”  Maruf enjoyed his internship so much that he returned to work at the same department the following summer. 

Maruf made a name for himself at Hennepin County and wanted to continue his employment there.  After two summers with STEP-UP, he began working at the Hennepin County Division of Motor Vehicles service center in the fall of 2007 and still works there today. 

Last March, Maruf heard about another job opening at the county and immediately applied.  He landed a permanent position as an Oromo interpreter and loves helping people in his new role.  He credits his current success in great part to STEP-UP Achieve.  “That program is really what opened my eyes,” he says.  “A lot of young people end up in the wrong position because they don’t know what they’re doing. STEP-UP provides a great opportunity for youth.” In addition to his work at the county, Maruf is also pursuing a degree in psychology at Metropolitan State University.