My Struggles with Technology
Harrington, E'Rich

>>SANDRA: Hi, my name is Sandra. You are?

>>E'RICH: E'Rich.

>>SANDRA: E'Rich, what's your story going to be about?

>>E'RICH: My struggles with learning the computer and getting a job.

>>SANDRA: I hear you. What was your biggest struggle?

>>E'RICH: Just learning the functions and the new technology with the computers. I'm just learning all over again how to go to school, function in the classroom, with the computer and this modern technology, period.

>>SANDRA: So, it's a whole new language for you.

>>E'RICH: Whole new language, technology just overwhelms me.

>>SANDRA: That's with a lot of people, it overwhelms. So, what were your points of struggle? And did you have a good teacher?

>>E'RICH: Yes, everybody was very patient because I get frustrated not being able to grasp the technology and just keyboard. I'm not that literate with typing skills.

>>SANDRA: So, not only was it learning a new language, but the skills of actually typing was a struggle as well.

>>E'RICH: Yes, I'm more hands-on maintenance type guy: electric, plumbing, HVAC stuff; I'm not really, I don't want to call you all nerds but, I'm not just one of them kind of guys.

>>SANDRA: Well everybody doesn't have to be, I mean there's a place in this world for everybody. Everybody's got a skill to bring. But you were trying to get a job and?

>>E'RICH: Yes, filling out applications now is everything's online, computerized and to me it's just really not personal anymore.  I mean you used to just go in, fill out an application, hand it to the boss.  The boss asked you questions, sees what kind of skills you have, and you either get the job or you don't.

Now it's filling out an application online and having a resume, and if they don't like what they read, they don't even see you or get a chance to talk to you personally to get a job.

>>SANDRA: And that's been frustrating.

>>E'RICH: Very.  I'm just not used to that new technology-type of interview.  Like I said, I'm just a hands-on, personal kind of person that engages in interacting with a human being.  When you get on the phone and you call somebody up to leave an answering message and I'm just not used to that.

>>SANDRA: So how have you overcome this?  Or how are you overcoming? Or are you overcoming?

>>E'RICH: Well, I deal with it every day and it does get frustrating.  And what I have to remind myself of is that's just what it is now a days in order to function in society today.  Language has really changed and if you don't text or do anything on your iPhone, it's frustrating but I'm learning how to deal with it.

>>SANDRA: So what advice would you have for others who are having struggles?

>>E'RICH: Just be patient, pay attention, try to focus.  I have a hard time focusing on just the new technology and it's so much.  It's just overwhelming for me.  What I do is just work with it a little bit every day to try to keep up with it because it's changing so fast.

>>SANDRA: E'Rich, that's really great advice for a lot of things in life, but especially for this.  Thank you for sharing your story.

>>E'RICH: You're welcome.

>>SANDRA: Bye.

>>E'RICH: Bye.