Computers

Computers are everywhere. You need to be able to use them to get information. Most library card catalogues are on computers now and Canada Employment Centres are in the process of putting their job listings on computer. Mostly computers are easy to use once you get used to the idea. Being surprised by them can be a problem.

Claudia was taken aback when she went back to school and found the library computerized. She had never used a computer plus she didn't know how to type so she felt quite handicapped by the lack of these skills. She would have preferred to take a typing course and a computer course before signing up for her regular course.

Librarians will show you how to use their computers, but it does take awhile to get the feel of finding information on them.

The other big use of computers in schools is to do assignments. You do not have to use a computer to do written assignments. You can type or, in some cases, write your papers, but most students find it much easier to do this work on computer once they learn how. Most schools have a computer centre where you can learn how to use a computer. This service is usually only for registered students, which means that you are learning to use the computer while taking regular courses. If you have never used a computer before, this is definitely something to ask the school counselor about before you sign up for your course.

Sources of information

There are two kinds of information about training and education — outside information and inside information. I often found outside information easier to understand and more helpful, but Alice found inside information more useful because it is the actual thing that is happening. Sooner or later you will need to get inside information.

Sources of outside information include:

• Your friends and the people in your community

A woman in Kamloops got into the Re-entry Into Successful Employment (RISE) program because her friend got in and told her about it. Another woman got her husband's friend to tell her about his job and who to talk to about training for a job like it.

• Community groups and bulletin boards

Women's centres, Native friendship centres, immigrant services societies, and disabled people's organizations are all likely to know something about training and education programs. Many of them actually run training programs funded by EIC. These and other training programs are often advertised by flyers which are put up on community bulletin boards at bookstores, temples and churches, the YM and YWCA, community centres, and stores.