Since 1977 I've worked for the Hamlet of Aldersyde. I'm the guy they
call if there is a new sign needed or a culvert to replace. Just recently I got
a promotion, and now I also do the water distribution for the MD (municipal
district). To get this promotion I had to go back and get my GED, then write a
water distribution exam. Now that I've started I'd like to do more courses and
get a water treatment certificate.
As a kid in school I did fairly well till about grade six, when I squeaked
by. Then I failed grade seven. At that point I got a little rebellious but
made it through the next year. By grade eight I really didn't get along with
the teacher, failed again, and left school at fifteen. My uncle let me
apprentice with him as a mechanic and I did the course work at SAIT for two
years. I was pretty good at that and I really liked the work.
I went to the Okotoks Adult Learning Centre to get my GED. I studied there
for 6 or 7 months. Man, it was hard to get into the study habit. It was much
easier to say "I think I'll just scoot off to the bar"
. I found it
hard to sit and learn something that I'd never use again. Except math -- I
needed to use that.
I think what scared me the most was writing skills -- essays and stuff like
that. Its OK if you can write what interests you, but we had to do things like
What Do You Like About Your Community.
There was a lot I enjoyed. For example I was surprised at the variety of
people in the class: young people, older people, housewives and bus drivers.
The atmosphere was relaxed and you had an opportunity to talk about important
issues. The instructor is there to help you out and make learning look so
easy.
Taking an upgrading course helped my career. If people want to go back to
school, they should stick with it even though it's tough. When you do a GED its
helpful to study something you're good at, like math, along with something
difficult, like English. And remember, you can't scoot off to the bar. You
have to study!
