What is your WHY?
I decided to get involved in training and development when my children were quite young. At the time, my husband was traveling around the country and out of the country, for his job on a fairly regular basis. With 4 kids under the age of 5, I was fortunate to have lots of family and friend support when I needed assistance with childcare.
My business partner and I first met when we both began as independent training contractors for a few, now defunct, training companies, CampusLinc, KnowledgeAir and others. We provided in-person training on Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, in small to midsize group settings, to companies like Kaleida Health and M & T bank. Business was thriving. We were turning work down. We were both able to arrange our schedules to meet the needs of our families while supplementing income to our respective households.
Additionally, I became involved with the West Seneca and Orchard Park Senior Centers and their Continuing Education departments so that I could teach the regular, everyday person, not just the business professional - those re-entering the workforce, senior citizens just discovering the internet and how to stay in touch with loved ones, fellow Moms looking for part-time jobs - basic to advanced computer skills so that they could also have the flexibility needed to earn an income and balance family life.
Fast forward to today, where these skills are no longer optional but critical.
I feel as I did back then, that teaching others how to use technology effectively does make a difference. It separates those who look towards the future with those who are stuck in the past. Acquiring new skills keeps you motivated and hopeful, no matter what the news says that day or where you are currently in life. It can be inspirational. Transformative.
We now have so many more training options - in person, video-based, remote, etc.. and the technology has changed substantially in the past 2 1/2 decades. My children are now grown adults and have careers of their own.
I went back to school at the University of Buffalo while they were pre-teens and my husband wasn't traveling as much, to gain my Masters degree to become a certified school library media specialist. I taught in public schools in grades K-8 for 12 years. It was rewarding. I really enjoyed the kids and of course, reading is one of my passions and I was able to do that everyday as well as inspire new readers. Yet the draw to teach adults once again was still there and here I am. Back at it.
My WHY continues to be service to others, simplify the complicated, and inspire with a growth mindset. We are all lifelong learners.
What's next in your story? What is your WHY?
