Mrs. Nettie Abraham was the first person to call me. She explained she was looking to update her secretarial skills and had to learn something called “Windows 95”.
Nettie was 70 years old. Retired. And had no idea how to use a computer. She’d already tried the temp agency — but they only had classes for people who already knew how to use a computer. Not even the local college could help her. That’s when she saw my ad in the newspaper.
I created a custom training plan for her. I taught her how to “drive” a mouse, open programs, create documents, use spreadsheets, etc. At the end of our time together, I gave Mrs. Nettie a final exam. A 30 minute exam took her just over an hour. When she was finished, she sat down and cried. She was just positive she’d need to take the course again.
“Mrs. Nettie — you got all the answers PERFECT!”
The look on her face and her grabbing me in a hug only grandmother’s know how to give — hooked me forever.
I had found my calling and Mrs. Nettie got the job she wanted too.
Mrs. Nettie stayed in contact with me for the next few years, bringing me cookies on my birthday and at Christmas. When she passed, it felt like my own grandmother passed away.