I am not an engineer. I did not learn to write code, learn programming languages, nothing! I do not have any kind of formal education on anything to do with technology. As a matter of fact, my first introduction to computers was when I joined, in 1990, the Hotel Management School, and had to roster my students into the practical sessions.
I had to do this, to my horror, on a computer! This was my first introduction to this frightening piece of equipment, and I was told how hard it is, and how one needed a lot of formal education to ‘operate’ one. The setting too, was suitably impressive. The room was called the ‘Computer Lab’, it was the only air-conditioned room in the building, and it was ruled by the ‘Computer Master’ who was clearly a cut above the rest of the professors!
I struggled and sweated at a very complicated software (don’t even remember the name) to create a simple table of names, shift and off days! Usually took me 2 hours, with ‘support’ from Mr Computer, who would never miss an opportunity to tell me that this was not really ‘easy’, and definitely was too much for ‘someone like me’; that I should take help from someone smarter, who had formal education in programs.
I however, found this animal called PC and everything to do with it, fascinating. I sat around every geek, happily picking their brains for tips and tricks. I followed the troubleshooting steps of every IT engineer who came to help me – at home, at work, everywhere. I made friends with youngsters who seem to understand this effortlessly, as if they were born with it. I tutored my then 10 year old son a programming language called dBase, which was part of his curriculum, just so I could learn it along with him.
Today, I pretty much set up my own computer and modem and printer, trouble-shoot all issues, remove the Trojans and the worms, download and use paid and freeware that have made their way into my home PC, set up my own paid and free protection, link devices and create home networks, and much more. I don’t claim to be anywhere as good as an engineer, or any of the Gen Y but I am competent enough to get by without support.
This is partly due to the fact that technology has been dumbed down enough for people like me. But beyond that, I can see that my curiosity has paid me great dividends. And the fact that my curiosity and excitement about technology was larger than any fear or belief that a non-engineer can’t do it! All it takes is a bit of healthy curiosity, and an insatiable hunger to find out why and how coupled with a willingness to learn from anyone and everyone. Of course, my cussed ego which doesn’t let anyone tell me that I can’t do something – I just have to prove them wrong.
With this mindset, learning happens; competence is created; myths of ‘mechanical oriented’ and ‘technology challenged’ ‘I cant do this’ are busted. Early successes build confidence; and the confidence leads to more learning, more competence.
So folks, go for it. Don’t let anything or anyone intimidate you, keep you from being curious and learning more every day. You CAN learn anything, DO anything, you set your mind to.
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