I've been volunteering with Austin Free-Net for about a year and have seen the dramatic impact this organization has on people who would otherwise not have access to computer technology. From basic email, to paying bills, to applying for jobs, it's almost impossible to live without computer access. Austin Free-Net has a free computer lab that anyone can use with volunteers available to help. They also offer workshops and a Learn & Earn Program where people can earn their own computer. The full-time staff really take care of the clients and volunteers. This is a great organization serving a much-needed cause in our community.
Always a joy to volunteer for an organization that makes so much direct positive impact in the community. Very generous and caring staff.
Would be amazing to increase their reach!
I've been donating to Austin Free-Net for years and continue to be immensely proud of the work that they do. They are kings in the realm of Digital Literacy training and I can't wait to see what they do in their new workforce development endeavors.
Austin Free-Net is a great service to our community. The open labs and volunteers are extremely helpful and friendly. They also have an amazing workforce development program that gives people the skills and certifications to earn a job in IT! Austin Free-Net encompasses all things digital. I am truly honored to be affiliated with this organization and look forward to seeing the great things they will do. Thank you for all that you do Austin Free-Net!
Austin Free-Net is an amazing nonprofit organization working to bridge the digital divide in the Austin area. They are able to provide the ACCELERATE IT certification program to a select number of participants interested in training for entry-level network and computer system administrative positions. It's been a roller-coaster, between feelings of progress and accomplishment, and a sinking dread that I would never make it. My trainer is AWESOME, making me have no fear in technology. Did I mention, ALL fees are paid through the Texas Workforce Commission?
“If I had a program like ACCELERATE when I was in my 20s
I’d already be living my dream. I’d be in some big corp. working on
computers, doing what I love doing. I want others
to have this same opportunity.” — Joshua Pauda
Joshua Pauda
A graduate of McNeil High School (2005) in Austin, Texas, Joshua Pauda knew from the age of six that he wanted to get into computers when a friend of his mother’s brought over a computer and gave him an old hard drive to take apart. Recalling that experience, he says, “I always knew I wanted to do something with computers”. Most of my schooling has had to do with IT. It is what I wanted to get into since I got that hard drive to take apart.
Josh remembers that his high school class was the first to pilot an engineering academy. “We were one of the first schools to have engineering as part of the curriculum.” Each year there was a core focus on some kind of engineering like digital, electronic, mechanical, etc. We learned about different components of electronics: capacitors, diodes, resistors, and conductors. Later McNeil HS taught Autocad. “The engineering academy program was to train us to become some type of engineer,” he recalls.
Ever since High School Josh wanted to play with computers…all day! He just didn’t know if he wanted to go to college, go to a trade school, or be a baker. Some of his first jobs pulled him away from his goal of being in IT and managing computer systems.
Joshua applied to Circuit City and was trained as a home theater consultant. Later, he was placed on their “Firedog Squad”. He got to work more closely with computers, home theaters, and other digital stuff. “It was all basic on-the-job training! Basically I was watching someone else fix things and taking notes,” said Josh. “It was eye opening experience because I realized I could do more than I thought possible and I didn’t know where the future would take me,” he said.
College isn’t preparing a young student for tomorrows jobs.
“I want to continue learning and this certification will give me the ability to get me to my destination,” commented Josh. “I didn’t realize how much I still didn’t know until I started taking the ACCELERATE IT program.” There were other techs where I have worked on a higher pay grade than me asking me how to do something technical…which is crazy,” he says. If anything “these classes have taught me how much I’m worth”…. It’s not what I thought it was, Josh recalls. My instructor, Kevin Lemiux, isn’t just teaching us book knowledge but life lessons, what we should be doing with this knowledge, career advice, business advice, etc. He tells us, “don’t try to undersell your services because you’re worth more than that”. When it comes to furthering your career you have to put yourself first.