Success Stories
Lisa McDowell
“It all started at One-Stop,” according to Lisa McDowell.
With no typing or computer skills, Ms. McDowell couldn’t get the office job she wanted. “When I had last worked in an office, people were still using switchboards. When I interviewed for a medical receptionist job, they asked what types of computer programs I knew. I said I knew Lotus, and WordPerfect. They said they didn’t use them anymore.”
At 42 years old, Mrs. McDowell had recent work experience in fast food restaurants and a convenience store, but she wanted more. After more unsuccessful interviews, she tried to register for Unemployment Insurance. She learned she wasn’t eligible, but was referred from there to the Baltimore Works One-Stop Career Center in early 2007. That’s where her job prospects began to turn around.
“When I went in, they asked me what I wanted to do. I had good people skills, good telephone skills, office etiquette, light typing … things like that. But a lot of the office jobs required computer skills.” Baltimore Works staff pointed her to the center’s Digital Learning Lab, where technology trainer Melvina Johnson taught her essential computer skills – from using a mouse and accessing files and folders, to understanding email and the Internet. As she mastered word processing, she also used the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing program to increase her typing speed, from one-finger tapping to 56 words per minute.
As Ms. McDowell earned certificates of mastery in computer trainings, her confidence grew, leading the Job Service to contact the State Department of Budget and Management on her behalf. Job Service staff helped her complete a state employment application that led to an unpaid internship while she continued her computer training. In June 2008, after more than a year at Baltimore Works, Ms. McDowell landed an $8.25/hour temporary position as a clerical aide at the State Department of General Services. Eager to continue improving her skills, she returned to the Digital Learning Lab, with her employer’s support. “They set up my schedule so I come in Monday through Thursday, with Fridays off to go to the Learning Lab.” There she is pursuing the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) – a global, validated, standards-based training and certification program for basic use of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet.
Ms. McDowell enthusiastically refers other jobseekers to the Career Center, and helps new people get started. “I explain it to them without using a lot of terminology, so they can understand it. I love hearing them say, ‘Girl, I appreciate that! I didn’t know how to do that until you showed me.’ And I was the same way. It feels good to be able to help others get their understanding. You can teach it to someone else and they light up.”
“Now,” says Ms. McDowell, “a lot of doors are open to me in the state office buildings. The computer training I can take anywhere and everywhere.” Although the $8.25 job was “a great starting point,” she’s now on her third job with the State, as an administrative assistant at the Board of Public Works, where her keyboarding speed is up to 65 WPM. “I’m earning $45,000 a year, with benefits. If I hadn’t had that training, I’d still be at McDonald’s.”
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