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Table of Contents

Student Success Story

Byte Back Students

Celebrated Success at

December Graduation

Some Words from Our

Students

Student Spotlight

Volunteers of the Month

Which One is Different and

Does Belong?

Five Questions with an

Instructor

Andrew’s Advice

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Opportunities

INFO - BITS Byte Back’s Online Newsletter | January 2013

Student Success Story: Carolyn Tyler Lovett By: Jessica Bates, Communications Associate

For years, Carolyn Tyler Lovett’s two sons tried

to convince her to learn more about computers.

Both of them are passionate about technology --

her older son worked during school vacations to

pay for his first computer and her younger son

recently completed a help desk technician pro-

gram at a local technical institute. Ms. Lovett

worked with early-model computers when she

was a typist, but she was skeptical about going

back to school to learn more.

“My eldest son always talked about Byte Back,

and over the years he kept saying to me, ‘Mom,

you really need to learn how to work with these

computers,’” said Ms. Lovett. It wasn’t until she

lost her job as a related service provider in spe-

cial education at a local school district in 2010

that she realized how important computer skills

had become in the job market.

A trainer with the D.C. Department of Employment Services insisted she would at least need to know Mi-

crosoft Office before she could find a job. He wasn’t the only one. One morning, while watching a news

program and “feeling very discouraged,” Ms. Lovett heard Michelle Obama give advice to the unemployed.

“Do you know what that dear lady said? She said, ‘I would encourage them to go back and get more training

so that they will be able to get jobs,’” Ms. Lovett recalled. “All of the sudden a light came on for me that I

needed more training. Despite all my experience and years of work, I was limited in my ability to get a job

because I had to know how to use computers.”

Ms. Lovett enrolled in Byte Back’s PC for Beginners course in the fall of 2011. Though she’d expected her

past computer experience would place her in a more advanced class, she tested at the beginner level. “The

first day I realized how little I really did know,” she said. “It’s like anything else in life -- the more you’re

exposed to something, the more you realize what you do not know.” She went on to take Office Track and

our IC3 certification course. Getting her Office Track certificate in our spring 2012 graduation was “one of

the highlights of [her] whole life” and “one of [her] proudest moments.”

“My oldest son and my grandson came to that graduation,” she said. “He was so proud of me, my oldest son.

He’s been trying for so long to get me to learn about computers. As a parent and a grandparent, that was one

of the highlights for me.” Ms. Lovett’s hard work paid off, and this fall, she began working again, this time

as a licensed substitute teacher. She’s even substituted for computer lab teachers at two different schools.

Filling in for these teachers, she admits, would have terrified her a couple of years ago.

“I am so, so grateful to be working again,” she said. “There are so many unemployed people at this time in

our country — it teaches you to be humble and to appreciate the opportunities that do come your way.”

Carolyn Tyler Lovett receives her Byte Back certificate from

Mayor Gray at our April graduation ceremony.

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JANUARY 2013 INFO-BITS

By: Neil Rickard, AmeriCorps Instructor

“Everybody found our Secret Santas all right?” Veteran instructor

and emcee Andrew Quilpa asked his audience in the full auditorium,

referring to the hat-wearing Byte Back staff offering directions out-

side. Catholic University’s Caldwell Hall, a short walk away from

Byte Back headquarters, was one more piece of unfamiliar territory

that the 109 new Byte Back graduates had conquered successfully, as

executive director Kelley Ellsworth emphasized later in the evening,

telling the graduates, “You faced your fears.”

Not only had the attendants braved the cold weather and the distance

from their classroom sites, they had mastered new technology skills

as well. At the ceremony, 75 students graduated from Office Track

and 34 students graduated from certification training courses in A+,

IC3, MCITP, and Microsoft Office Specialist. Speaker and MCITP

instructor Ted Frazier underscored the importance of these accom-

plishments, quoting his mother’s advice to him, “There is no way in

the world you’re going to make it without education.”

Students at the podium offered testimonials of the value of that education. Eddie Capers, newly

MCITP certified, told the audience about her first experiences with an IBM keypunch and her many

years of “pounding the pavement” from one job interview to another before finally developing a

more comprehensive understanding of computers at Byte Back. Bernadeta Kaiza, an Office Track

graduate and this month’s “Student Spotlight,” showed the PowerPoint presentation she had com-

pleted for class. The presentation told the story of how she had adjusted to life in the United States.

While a sense of accomplishment pervaded the room, speakers contrasted that sense with the thrill

of new challenges. Washington Area Community Investment Fund Director Timothy Flanagan en-

couraged students to continue to challenge themselves. He highlighted new opportunities such as

WACIF and Byte Back’s new program for aspiring entrepreneurs, Enterprise DC. Emily Allen,

vice president of the AARP Foundation, which gave Byte Back a two-year grant to work with sen-

iors, spoke about the increasingly vital role of older people in the workplace. Many Byte Back

graduates are part of a growing trend of retirees going back to work for a variety of reasons, and learning new technology is an important

part of staying up-to-date and marketable.

Mr. Ronald Wade, star graduate of past A+, Net+, and Security+ certification programs, downplayed “all those accolades” he’s received.

“I’m no super person or anything else,” he said, assuring the graduates of their capacity to develop more computer skills. “One thing

about gaining knowledge at

Byte Back is that once you

start acquiring it, you get a

taste for more,” he told the

crowd. Mr. Wade is now em-

ployed as a network adminis-

trator for Byte Back and other

nonprofits.

The graduates concluded the

ceremony by receiving their

certificates, a holiday gift they

had given themselves, ready

for the challenges of the new

year.

Byte Back Students Celebrated Success at December Graduation

Every member of this MCITP study group has become certified!

Emily Allen of the AARP Foundation

December 2012 graduates

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Student Spotlight: Bernadeta Kaiza

By: Andrea Mack, AmeriCorps Instructor

When I asked my student, Bernadeta Kaiza. to show her PowerPoint presentation at Byte

Back’s fall graduation, she hesitated to say yes. She wasn’t sure that her PowerPoint should

be shared with over one hundred other people. I assured her that her presentation about ad-

justing to life in the United States was interesting and personal and others might find strength

in her story.

Her transition hasn’t been easy since she moved here by herself from Tanzania ten years ago.

She initially struggled to find work here; though she’d received a degree in human resources

in Tanzania, the degree wasn’t recognized in the United States. Bernadeta had to start from

square one; she began working two jobs and going to school in the evening, while also raising

a family.

Even before I knew her story, I could see Bernadeta’s dedication to self-improvement. She

constantly challenged herself in class by asking for more assignments that would improve her

knowledge of the Microsoft Office software.

Bernadeta plans on using the skills she learned in Office Track in her future education. She

recently enrolled at Trinity Washington University. She wants to work in the public and com-

munity health field, because she wants to help improve the healthcare system in Tanzania.

“So many deaths could have been avoided if there was better healthcare. I realize that now,

[after] working in the United States healthcare system,” she said.

Currently, Bernadeta is working hard at her dream career. When she travels home to Tanzania she volunteers at the village hospital. She

is also working on starting a company that trains people in preventive health measures including CPR, first aid, and blood borne patho-

gens. She has already become a certified CPR and first aid instructor, and she can teach in both English and Swahili.

Bernadeta is proud of her accomplishments, but the main reason she agreed to be a speaker was for her children. “My children said, ‘You

go, Mommy!’ when I presented at graduation. They can’t wait to see the photos,” she said. Above all, she wants to be a role model for

them.

I was honored to have Bernadeta Kaiza in my Office Track class, and I know she will go on to do amazing things.

Bernadeta Kaiza and her three children

Some Words from Our Students At the end of class, each student fills out a survey. Below are some responses from students who participated in our fall classes.

“Byte Back is a terrific service. I have tried to learn these skills in other places, but Byte Back is the most organized and competent

source of this training that I have experienced to date.”

“I used the skills learned in class with the duties performed at work, i.e., Excel. I felt very comfortable utilizing my newly acquired

skills and did not have to ask for help from co-workers. In fact, no one could tell that I had not used Excel in years.”

“I’m hoping with the help from Byte Back I can achieve my goal to be employed anywhere in the world with the skills I re-

ceive....Thank you!”

“Lydia Vanderbilt is an outstanding teacher. She spoke to the class in a way that everyone could understand. She was working with peo-

ple of a certain age group ( 50+) and she answered every question very well.”

“I never thought I could really use a computer. I have new skills now thanks to Byte Back.”

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity for people in this area. Life is very difficult for older people especially those who don't know

how to use computers.”

“I was very pleased and grateful for the opportunity as a near-eighty-year-old learning computing for the first time. The gifted instructor

was extremely patient with me.”

“Thanks again, and I want to thank Ms. Andrea Mack for her patience and kindness and sharing her experiences with me, because I was

completely computer illiterate. Now I am more confident.”

“This class was perfect for me. It helped me to understand all those little things I had questions about, such as saving files and making

folders. Thank you, Byte Back, for this opportunity.”

“This class has been the HIGHLIGHT of the year for me.”

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JANUARY 2013 INFO-BITS

www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

By: Ashley Luttmer, Director of Volunteer Services

This fall, Bill Chedester and his wife Diana Arango contributed tre-

mendously to Byte Back’s students and programs. Not only did they

accommodate an unexpected influx of students by teaching an Office

Track class in Spanish, they’ve been strong advocates for their stu-

dents and made thoughtful suggestions for course improvement to

better serve Byte Back students.

Bill came to Byte Back in an effort to serve the community while

using his Spanish skills. Diana, a native Spanish speaker, helped as

both an assistant teacher and a linguistic “senior advisor” to Bill.

Though Bill was accustomed to teaching in Spanish, Diana’s experi-

ence teaching Excel in Spanish helped the pair practice the vocabu-

lary used in Office Track. Both use Microsoft Office programs daily

at work, so they were familiar with the programs they were teaching.

Teaching the class also gave them the opportunity to learn some new

ways to use the program that they are now able to apply to their per-

sonal and professional use.

During their class, Diana and Bill also drew in members of the com-

munity to assist with the class. Friends Claudia Arango, Ricardo Espitia, and Carmen Navarro willingly stepped in to help Bill with

the class, and they thoroughly enjoyed their experiences with the students. They enjoyed collaborating with the Byte Back staff on

improving the curriculum and on marketing to the Spanish-speaking community. Bill’s next Byte Back project is to create a curricu-

lum for Microsoft Project.

Bill and Diana loved getting to know their students and help them build their skills and comfort with technology. Bill was impressed

by the willingness of the participants to overcome any fear or discomfort with the technology to ask questions and ensure that they

were getting all the information they needed to be successful, adding that they were “obviously committed to learning.” Diana said,

“I think that it was much more than teaching a computer program, it was giving them tools to make them much more confident in

their day-to-day lives.”

Continued

Volunteers of the Month: Bill Chedester and Diana Arango

By: H. Y. Griffin, Employment Specialist

As an applicant, it’s important to be noticed, but if you’re noticed for the wrong reasons, you won’t get

the job. There are many rules aimed at avoiding standing out in a bad way, such as never include a pic-

ture on a resume, but when are those ‘don’t do’ rules worth breaking? And how does a job seeker stand

out in a good way?

Tip #1: Think of the big picture instead of detailed rules. Start by focusing on your “brand” and how it

can support the organization. Along with research on the company, the position, and your would-be

coworkers, you need to know your own “story” so well that you can put a positive spin on your experi-

ence and explain how your knowledge, skills, abilities, attitude, behaviors, and goals can make the com-

pany more successful.

Now, if you’re approaching a deadline – last day to apply or an interview in two days – this work might

seem like it isn’t worth your time. Not so! Use some of your remaining time to prepare to answer the tough questions before you’re in

a high-stakes, formal interview.

Tip #2: Be your most positive and professional self. In an interview, for example, think of turning up the volume on your positive

traits and turning down the volume on negative traits. For example, if you have a great sense of humor, but you have been told that

Which One is Different and Does Belong?:

How Job Seekers Can Stand Out in Positive Ways

Bill Chedester (left), Diana Arango (second from the right)

and two of their students

H.Y. Griffin

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JANUARY 2013 INFO-BITS

some of your coworkers were uncomfortable with your jokes, then leave the jokes at home. If you have been told that you speak

quickly or too loudly sometimes, then slow down or quiet down. On the plus side, if you have been told that you are quick-witted,

demonstrate that trait if you notice that it is appropriate.

Tip #3: Break the rules if you have to. Being yourself might also mean breaking some of the hard-and-fast rules if those rules stop

you from interviewing successfully. In the early 1990s when dreadlocks were first gaining major popularity in the U.S., job seekers

who considered the hairstyle were strongly advised to avoid it and opt for a more socially acceptable alternative such as a perm or

other traditional and neat hairdo. But today, many job seekers sport neatly coiffed dreadlocks with no risk to their career. Similarly,

job developers and placement organizations these days require women to wear dresses or skirts to interviews. While dresses or skirts

are the best way for many women to make a professional presentation, some women never wear skirts or dresses and will interview

with a more professional and confident presentation in a pantsuit or dress pants. Whether you’re asked cut your dreadlocks, shave

your beard, or wear a skirt, if a change that’s asked of you will dash your confidence and ultimately make you a weaker candidate,

consider asking yourself, “How can I present myself as a confident, highly qualified, and highly professional applicant?” Then find

an alternative or compromise that allows you to express yourself and make a positive, professional impression.

Tip #4. Make sure you’re up-to-date on etiquette. If you send a thank-you card by mail the same day as an interview, the job may

have already been offered to another applicant by the time anyone from the company sees your note. Send a card and an email the

same day as the interview.

Tip #5. There are wrong ways to stand out. Remember to avoid:

Presenting yourself in ways that suggest you would be difficult to work with, such as being too intense, quirky, prideful, quiet,

uncreative, or unrealistic;

Standing out in ways that suggest you would not relate to your coworkers in a positive, professional way. Examples: flirting,

being sarcastic or condescending, not listening, interrupting, not contributing.

The key here is knowing and being yourself so you can show what you will bring to the company. If you don’t know your strengths

and weaknesses, then ask. Your friends, family, and former coworkers might have some insight. Byte Back students are also wel-

come to contact staff for help with resumes, cover letters, and practice interviews.

Five Questions with an Instructor: Lisvette Garcia Interview by: Andrew Quilpa, Instructor Coordinator

Lisvette Garcia moved from her hometown in Puerto Rico to be an AmeriCorps instructor at Byte Back.

Last term, Ms. Garcia taught Personal Computing for Beginners 1 and 2 and Office Track in Spanish.

Q: What has been your favorite moment as a Byte Back instructor?

A: Since I started, every moment working with students has been great. I really like that I am helping

them. It is a very rewarding job. Every day in class when I see them learning, I feel great. It is really re-

warding at the end when they pass their exam; when I see they are happy, I am happy.

Q: What is your favorite lesson or concept to teach and why?

A: Searching the Internet is nice because the students [say], "Wow, you can really find that information

online!" When I had my students look up the weather, they were able to find it and say what the weather was going to be tomorrow.

Q: What do you like best about living in the D.C. area?

A: I like that there are a lot of things going on. Even though I haven't participated in everything, if I feel like if I need to go some-

where or do something I can use the metro and the buses; everything is accessible. And I like being around different kinds of people.

Q: What do you most hope to convey to the students you work with?

A: That they feel secure. Maybe they are afraid of working with the computers, and I would like them to not be afraid to find out

what this program does or what this website is. I want them to feel confident about themselves.

Q: What have you learned about yourself since starting your service with Byte Back?

A: I have learned I can do a lot of things I thought I would never do, like public speaking. I have participated in the [Digital Access]

tours. As long as I know what I am talking about, I do not get nervous speaking! I have also learned that it is good to keep learning.

[Byte Back] is a nice place with nice people. That does not happen often: working in a great place with great people.

Lisvette Garcia

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Tutoring – We are now holding tutoring every Thursday from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Ask questions and practice skills from your Byte

Back class or work on your cover letters, resumes, and online applications with our highly-skilled volunteers . RSVP to attend

by emailing Griffin at hgriffin@byteback.org or by calling Byte Back’s office at (202) 529-3395.

Job Club: Did you know that most people find their jobs through networking, not through searching online? Practice building

your network at the job club meeting on Thursday from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Learn about networking best practices and then put

them to use at the meeting by networking with Byte Back staff, students, and friends of the organization. To attend, RSVP to

Celia Burke, cburke@byteback.org, 202-529-3395.

Tours of Byte Back — Would you like a guided tour of Byte Back? For more information and to arrange a tour, please contact

Development Associate Cristina Moscoso at cmoscoso@byteback.org or by calling (202) 529-3395.

Upcoming Events

By: Andrew Quilpa, Instructor Coordinator

It is a new year, and for many of us that means the “R” word: resolutions. Whether they involve shed-

ding a few pounds or shedding a bad habit, sticking to resolutions can be tough. Committing to a lifestyle

change is never easy; how many of us even remember what we resolved to do last year?

The hardest part of a resolution is actually making the resolution. Here are five tips to help plan your

resolution:

1. Be specific! It is one thing to say that you would like to “be more diligent at work.” It is another thing

entirely to say, “I will visit personal websites like Facebook only on lunch breaks.” Being specific in

your resolution lets you control exactly which behaviors you want to encourage or discourage. There is

nothing wrong with having a broad vision, but remember the little details that go into making the vision a

reality.

2. Be positive! Harness the power of positive thinking in your resolutions. Instead of focusing on what you are giving up, focus on

what you are gaining. You are not just “resolving to stop eating junk food,” you are “resolving to live healthier.” The usual resolu-

tion to lose weight can be changed to resolving to play games of pickup basketball (or whatever physical activity you enjoy) every

weekend. Who says resolutions have to be all work and no play?

3. Work as a team: Joining a support group can help you stay motivated to

achieve your goal. Getting friends or coworkers to join can also help. If

you have a smartphone, there are many apps that use social networking to

connect you with others pursuing similar goals.

4. Do research: Feeling overwhelmed by your resolution to “run a mara-

thon?” Consulting an expert either in-person or online can be a great way

to start. Once you are armed with knowledge, you can develop a plan to

carry out your resolution.

5. Just do it! It might sound cliché, but if you want to accomplish some-

thing, you do not need to wait for a new year. There is no time like the

present. With commitment and effort, resolutions can be resolved!

Do you have any suggestions for keeping resolutions? Send a message

over to aquilpa@byteback.org and we might post your response on the next column!

Andrew’s Advice: Sticking to New Year’s Resolutions Every month, Andrew Quilpa gives advice on how to function better in the workplace.

Submit your questions or topics to aquilpa@byteback.org.

Andrew Quilpa

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JANUARY 2013 INFO-BITS

About Byte Back

Founded in 1997, Byte Back seeks to improve economic opportunity in the Washington, D.C. area by providing computer literacy

and job training for disadvantaged communities. Byte Back offers courses ranging from basic computer literacy to Microsoft Office

to internationally recognized computer certification preparation. Byte Back is licensed by the DC Educational Licensure Commis-

sion as a postsecondary educational institution.

"Volunteering is the most effective means to give back to your community and to continue to develop the human spirit."

- Ted Frazier, volunteer instructor

Tutoring is a great way to help Byte Back students in a short amount of time. Our tutors don't need to make an ongoing commitment

-- just come when you can and make a big difference to a student.

Tutoring will now be held at Byte Back's office every Thursday evening, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. We invite you to come as often as you

like, but please RSVP beforehand so we can ensure your time will be well spent. If you're interested in tutoring or in other volunteer

opportunities with Byte Back, please contact Ashley Luttmer, Byte Back’s director of volunteer services, at

aluttmer@byteback.org or (202) 529-3395.

Volunteer Opportunities