by Todd Hicks

Created on: September 03, 2009   Last Updated: December 16, 2010

Are you a middle-aged person or senior citizen? If you are, have you experienced a fear of using a computer regularly and proficiently? It is important to become good at it. You will learn why you should invest your time in learning the basics of computing as an older person.

Have you grown up in a laborious family or been a blue-collar worker such as a manufacturer or welder? It used to be that you could graduate from high school and make a good living by working with your hands. For better or for worse, times are changing.

Plenty of jobs such as manufacturing jobs are being outsourced, or shipped to other countries. This transformation is leading to a demand to learn new job skills such as using a computer. Even if you are fortunate to maintain a blue-collar job, it is imperative to learn the basics of using a computer. A few years ago, I read that blue-collar workers now need to do more than just be good with their hands - they must be good at using their minds also and be good at mathematics, using a computer, etc.

It is good if you are computer literate and know how to use the Internet; however, you must be able to do more than that. You have to be able to carry out certain functions such as copying and pasting text; cutting text; printing and saving documents; using graphs, charts and spreadsheets; etc. It is crucial to learn this because many employers require these skills; furthermore, the better you are at using a computer, the more opportunities you will have to earn a decent living.

Acquiring basic computing and Internet skills can enable you to earn extra money. If you can follow various instructions on the computer screen and perform word processing functions, you can make money doing surveys and writing articles online. The more you earn, the easier you can retire from working a real job.

It is important for older adults to get the hang of using a computer to have more social opportunities and reduce loneliness. If you are good at using the Internet, you can keep in touch with friends and relatives through E-mail and become a member of social networking sites, enabling you to meet people and learn about job opportunities.

Finally, it is necessary for those in their advanced years to develop basic computer skills in case they need to take assignments with temp agencies. Before becoming eligible for an assignment, you might be tested on how quickly and accurately you can type as well as how well you know Word, Excel, etc.

You have learned why you must learn basic computing skills as an older person. By doing this, you will get ahead as you boost your career, money-making and social opportunities.

Learn more about this author, Todd Hicks.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.