“I really hope that whatever I learn, I can use it to the best of my abilities to help other people learn too,” says CTN learner Enil J Claros.
Originally from Honduras, Enil moved to the Bay Area about two years ago with his partner and three young children. With a family to support, Enil says his primary goal is to stay out of poverty. He dreams of one day becoming a full-stack software developer and hopes to begin a career in computer programming within the next five years. While Enil doesn’t quite have the experience to do so yet, he is eager to improve his skills and learn the range of skills needed to be a successful programmer.
From previous work experience, Enil was already familiar with the basics of computer navigation. He was more interested in joining CTN’s digital literacy training program as a refresher course. After being referred to the program by our partner Hamilton Families, Enil began lessons in November with a small, virtual cohort taught by CTN instructor Audrey Potts.
“If anyone didn’t know something, Audrey would ask everybody, ‘Hey, does anybody need help with this?’” reflects Enil. “That’s something we look for in a good teacher. She’s very patient and loves to explain to us. She’s fantastic.”
The course and tablet allowed Enil to hone his current digital skills and learn some new tools. He finds Google applications especially beneficial — using the Calendar tool to schedule appointments with potential clients and Google Docs to create and update documents. Enil’s favorite digital tools are the ones that keep him informed and learning. He enjoys reading online books about different programming topics and often uses the Dictionary app to learn new concepts.
“We are moving on to an extremely demanding digital era,” says Enil. “This course doesn’t teach programming, obviously, but it does allow you to know how to use the web and search engines to figure out what sites to go to for learning and getting into programming.”
As Enil wraps up his classes at Hamilton Families, he is motivated to expand his technical skill set and eventually help create a pathway for his children to learn as well. To fellow learners who may be hesitant to start, Enil offers the following encouragement: “If you have a hard time knowing how to use a computer, I would love for anybody to learn through this program. The computer basics like Google and Docs are important for everyone to know. Not only that, but there are such amazing people who want you to get better at using a computer.”
For Enil and many others, the tools of technology offer a pathway to new jobs and opportunities in the digital age. We are inspired by his commitment to learning and excited to see where it takes him!
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