Becoming Obsolete

 

Years ago, I had over heard my boss talking about a woman who he thought should retire. The woman had worked in the district for years. He was frustrated by her inability to keep up with the technological changes and operations that were beginning to change how things were done. He was speaking about how people once set in their career sometimes don’t take additional courses to improve their skills and just become complacent and underperform in their positions. He had mentioned that her skill level had become obsolete. Eventually said employee took a retirement incentive.

I remember in the early 90’s when the internet and The Superhighway were in the beginning stages of taking over the world. While attending college for business, many of the tasks that were being taught were old school. It was all about Selectric Typewriters and Shorthand. I remember being introduced to computers using punch cards and the computer took up half the room. Then computers with floppy disks were introduced. By the time internet became available, I was on a Personal 30 IBM computer with monochrome screen. We later transitioned to a PC. However, I remember how intimidating The Superhighway sounded. Once it was fired up in our District the excitement of learning how to use it and taking classes to become proficient in all the applications that were becoming available with the computer technology changing was a learning experience. Because I was an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, it became my responsibility of sharing what I learned to other clerical staff and administrators who were learning. I remember for the longest time I was the one setting up and loading the computers with the applications that would soon be used by everyone. When things would go wrong, I had learned to trouble shoot. We had a couple IT guys who were very involved in the set ups of computers and they would work with me to teach me what I needed to do when they were not available. I found it exciting to have that knowledge before others and was utilized daily. By the way, I used my shorthand up until my retirement to conceal my notes that I could leave on top of my desk because no one had the skill of being able to read them.

My boss and I would hear of new computer programs and he would usually buy the program for him and one for me and ask me to learn it or he would send me to a class specific for each program. As I advanced in my career into management, our computer system was fully controlled by an IT Department. I became part of The Human Resources Department management team and would be asked to learn and develop the data to input for various computer programs specific to HR. I remember working hours at home getting it ready to then mentoring other administrative staff on how to utilize it. Always in my mind, I would be eager to learn what I needed so I wouldn’t become obsolete. I was fortunate to early retire at 54 years old, so my skill levels were still at capacity to accommodate my position and productivity it required. My boss at the time told me that because of my skills, history and knowledge of the district, my retirement would leave a hole. That was very kind of him to say that and he informed me I would be missed.

What reminded me to share on this topic for my blog is that yesterday, my eldest son is visiting me and he was helping me set up my M4 Apple ID through a merging process with my other Apple products. In the process, he asked me if I had a flash drive. I told him I did and proudly came in the room swinging the lanyard on my finger showing him I found it. He got this big grin on his face and informed me my old school flash drive would not work on my M4. He said for me to look for a USB port on my Mac. There wasn’t one. I was so embarrassed by my lack of knowledge. I know my Lenovo Laptop has the USB port still. However, my brand new M4 Apple Laptop did not. He was able to air drop what needed to be transferred in order to accomplish the task I needed done. As long as I had him and his brain,  I then questioned him about the latest and greatest technology now and purchased the new Apple Watch and Air Pod Pros which once I upgrade my iPhone, have the ability to translate different languages into my ear. The Air Pods also have the capacity to work as a hearing aid. I’ve noticed while using closed captioning, how many words I’m actually not hearing. My reasoning to upgrade my watch is because in my aging, there are certain things I’d like to monitor now and it can be done with the new watch. I informed my son that along with my computer technology that I was becoming as obsolete as my tools.

I’ve come to a place in my life where I am always asking my children to help me learn or to do something I don’t understand. I knew the day would come, but now that it is here it is a little unsettling to know I’m not as sharp as I used to be. No one really wants to become obsolete.

Colossians 3:23 -- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. 

Ecclesiastes 10:10 -- "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success."

Hebrews 8:13(b) -- "Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."