Empowering and connecting: Closing the digital skills and connectivity gap

In this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Connected America conference in Irving, Texas. 

Our host, Jessica Denson sits down with the Editor-in-Chief at Working Nation, to discuss the importance of digital skills in today’s workforce and how digital navigators are bridging the connectivity gap. 

Later, Jessica speaks with an individual from Lead for America about their efforts to support digitally disconnected rural communities through the American Connection Corps. 

Tune in to learn how these organizations are working to ensure all Americans have the skills and access needed to thrive in the digital age.

Chapters

• 0:00 Podcast Introduction
• 1:22 Ramona Schindelhiem joins
• 3:00 Conclusion + Outro
• 4:51 Digital skills and connectivity in the workplace
• 7:19 Kevin Tran joins
• 8:30 About Lead for America
• 11:00 Kevin's background

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:08):

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the conference called Connected America. On this episode, I talk to two groups that are working to help people understand how to use the internet and learn why it matters when it comes to everything from jobs to healthcare. I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation. I'm still at Connected America, which is taking place in Irving, Texas, which is near Dallas, Texas. Um, March 11th and 12th. And I have run into Ramona Heim who is with Working Nation, and I asked her, she would sit back and talk to me and tell me about what she's here for. Ramona Schindelheim (00:48):

Yeah. I'm the Editor in Chief at Working Nation. We're a nonprofit news organization, very much focused on how do you make sure that people are connected with the skills they need today. And I'm here at Connected America because the digital divide is a very big issue for the entire country. Mm-hmm. People who don't have internet access, people who don't have broadband access, who don't have the digital skills. So I'm here trying to hear what everybody's trying to do to close that gap. Jessica Denson (01:17):

And you're actually gonna be sitting on a panel, correct? Talk about that panel. Ramona Schindelheim (01:21):

Yes. I'm moderating. Oh, you're Jessica Denson (01:22):

Moderating. Ramona Schindelheim (01:22):

Okay. Yes. Sorry. Yeah. I'm moderating a panel on the Digital Navigator Playbook. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So I'm gonna be talking to people who are, if I can say that again, I'm talking to people who are really in the communities trying to help connect people to those broadband, um, providers, but also how they can get the skills through training so they, they're able to be able to, so they'll be able to really apply for jobs, get training online, get education online, and just be connected to the rest of society. Because as we know, you can't do anything in this world without digital. So I'm there talking to the people who are trying to make sure everybody's connected. Jessica Denson (02:06):

So a digital navigator, it could, that could be many types of people. Right. Can you explain a little bit what a digital navigator would be in your mind? Ramona Schindelheim (02:14):

Yeah. A digital navigator can be someone who is at your local library who might just be able to tell you how to get online and get some training for certain skills. A digital navigator, depending on the community, can also be that person who can tell you where you can get affordable internet service. We know that it can be expensive. We know it's hard sometimes to get it in rural communities. So these are the people in your communities who are helping you make that connection both to the service provider and programs that might help you get skills. Jessica Denson (02:47):

And what it's, it's kind of an uncertain time right now, just in general. Uh, the country's gone through a lot. You know, we have a new administration who's approaching broadband in perhaps a different way. We don't know yet. We're still kind of waiting. Um, how important is it to come to events like this and network face-to-face right now? Ramona Schindelheim (03:05):

I think it's very important because if you, each job is local. I'll say this, each job is local. Opportunity is local. So if you can talk to the local people, and there are people here from, I think about it, every state, many cities, urban areas, rural areas, to talk to them face to face and hear what they're doing in that community. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And for someone in my position, I'm an editor in chief, I have my podcast, I have articles. Jessica Denson (03:32):

Awesome. What's your podcast? Ramona Schindelheim (03:33):

Uh, it's called Work in Progress. Awesome. Uh, out every Tuesday. Thank you very much. Um, and so if I can talk to the people who are providing that information and learn what they're doing, I can share it out there. 'cause I think it's important. What we do is be able to share that information out around the country. Mm-hmm Jessica Denson (03:49):

<affirmative>. And is Working Nation all across the country, is it global, is it, or is it in the us How long and how long have you guys been around? Ramona Schindelheim (03:56):

Yeah. Working Nation, we've been around for eight plus years, and we're national. We, our founder and CEO Art Bill Girl always says, I can't fix every country. I only can fix one at a time, right? Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And he started it eight years ago because he really saw this need as technology changes really, really quickly to make sure we have a workforce that's ready for it. And we, but we look at things through local communities. We just did a story last week on Missoula, Montana, and we are doing something on Birmingham, Alabama. And when we do look at programs, we look at local efforts, but we know that there's like a national, there's ways to scale it nationally. So we help people see those stories and then they go, oh, we could do that in our community. Jessica Denson (04:41):

Um, how important is it right now since you do deal with the workforce? Is it to have a digital skills and b, connectivity in general? Ramona Schindelheim (04:51):

Yeah. There's some studies out, and the one that I quote a lot, 90% of jobs today already require some level of digital skills. And that could, you might even, you might not think about it, but even in a restaurant, right? You know, they're always putting stuff into the computer, making your order, that goes to the kitchen. They're working on your order. Uh, we see it with logistics. So like at an Amazon warehouse, you have to do, be able to do inventory and then process to things that are even higher. So engineering, infrastructure, um, manufacturing, all of those require some kind of digital skills. Um, my father was in manufacturing when he was, when we were, when I was very young, and he did everything by hand. But now those things are done with machines. So you have to have those digital skills. They're important when you have to apply for a job.
(05:46)
Most jobs now you have to fill out something online. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And they're advertised online. So if you don't know how to do that, you're at a disadvantage. There are classes you can take online that can give you skills. Again, applying for a, you know, jobs or applying for college, there's an example. Most of that's done online. So if you don't have that connectivity, and so that's also access to broadband, access to the internet, but the knowledge on how to do it, you're at a loss. And with AI coming into play more and more, you know, there's been a lot of talk over two, two and a half years now about it. A lot of people are incorporating that into jobs. You need to understand that as well. So you can't walk away from it. It's there, it's everywhere. Mm-hmm Jessica Denson (06:32):

<affirmative>. And even those jobs that are run by robots, they need somebody who can operate those. You Ramona Schindelheim (06:37):

Program them. Yeah. Yeah. Program, program them, operate them and fix them. And believe me, they need a lot of fixing at times. Jessica Denson (06:44):

So if someone's interested in learning more about Working Nation, where would they go? Ramona Schindelheim (06:47):

You can go to working nation.org and you'll see right there our articles, our podcasts. Please share us. We're also on all social media under at Working Nation. Jessica Denson (06:58):

I'll check you guys out. Well, Ramona, thank you so much. Ramona Schindelheim (07:01):

Thank you. Jessica Denson (07:04):

I just wrapped up my interview with Ramona at Connected America. She's with Working Nation, and just before I grabbed her to talk, um, she was chatting with Kevin Tran, who is with Lead for America. Uh, welcome Kevin. Kevin Tran (07:19):

Uh, thank you, Jessica. I appreciate you having me. Jessica Denson (07:21):

Yeah. So Ramona snagged you a ticket for this event, right? Kevin Tran (07:24):

Yeah. So I got it through, um, our current interim, CEO Taylor Stucker. Um, he was messaged me, um, saying, Hey, there's this event called, um, America Connected. Um, would you be interested in going to it? Um, so I kind of looked it up on my own. Um, I'm not very too familiar with, you know, kind of the digital broadband universe, but I thought this would be a great opportunity to come and kind of learn more about what, you know, every company here, um, has, has to offer. So Jessica Denson (07:53):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So talk about Lead for America and your role there. What does Lead for America do and what do you do with them? Kevin Tran (07:59):

Yeah, so Lead For America is a nonprofit organization. Specifically. We have a program called the American Connection Corps. Um, it is a AmeriCorps program. Um, we basically there, um, help digitally, uh, help rural areas who are digitally disconnected. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, so basically what I do in my role is that, uh, we have different NTIA grants and other grants that we have applied for. And essentially what those grants go to is to the different states across the nation. Um, and essentially those grants are awarded to our different host sites that we have. Um, and with those host sites, they'll, uh, want different people in the, in those rural areas to come, um, serve, um, them. Um, so basically when a person applies to be a part of our program at a CC, um, they commit year, um, to do whatever our host sites needs them to do. And these host sites can be anywhere from, you know, a city, city offices, broadband offices, broadband organizations mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, anything from agriculture to, you know, anything from digitally disconnected communities, um, that we, we kind of serve a, a very broad range <laugh> uhhuh of host sites. Um, but yeah. Uh, when a, I guess a constituent of ours, uh, serves in our program, they get a stipend, um, for the year. Um, Jessica Denson (09:28):

And so what do they do at those sites? They teach digital skills is, Kevin Tran (09:32):

Yeah, so it's, it, it really depends on where they're working. So we do focus on that, digitally disconnected, those digitally connect disconnected communities. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Excuse Jessica Denson (09:42):

Me. Yeah, it's hard to say Kevin Tran (09:43):

<laugh>. Yeah. Um, but, um, anywhere from like agriculture, um, and anywhere in between mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, anyone can kind of work in kind Jessica Denson (09:52):

Of, so have you ever worked at one of the sites? Kevin Tran (09:53):

I have not. I've actually just started, um, in this current role for about three months. So I started in the beginning of this year. Okay. Um, so I'm still kind of learning. I'm still new, still learning the basics of everything, of how our organization Jessica Denson (10:06):

Runs. So you're, you handle recruitment, right? So Kevin Tran (10:08):

I handle recruitment, so I'm not too much, I don't have too much knowledge on like broadband or, or anything uhhuh like electronics or anything like that. Um, but you know, again, I'm here just to kind of keep an open mind and kind of learn more about Jessica Denson (10:21):

It and soak everything up. Yeah. Yeah, Kevin Tran (10:22):

Exactly. Jessica Denson (10:22):

Um, so are you all across the country then work for, uh, lead for America? Kevin Tran (10:27):

Yeah, so Lead for America, we're technically based in Kansas. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. But we have, um, staff all over the country. Um, so I'm one of three people in Texas. We have a few people on the east coast, um, and then some people on the West Coast. Jessica Denson (10:43):

So Are you all remote as well? Yeah, we are all, that's how our team works as well. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, so what's your background then? Kevin Tran (10:49):

My background? Um, so my background, I attended the University of Arkansas. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, Arkansas is kind of where I'm from. Go Hogs, <laugh>. Um, I, uh, graduated with a human resource degree, um, also minor in finance, Uhhuh, <affirmative>. Um, I've always, I've been in the banking industry, um, had, had a little bit of experience in like the mortgage department, um, talent acquisition, um, and then finally kind of moved over to Dallas, more recruiting roles. Um, and then I kind of landed, uh, recruitment spot, um, with Lead for America non-profit nonprofit work is what I really like, love to do. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, and what I really strive in. Um, so, Jessica Denson (11:30):

So when you're recruiting for Lead for America, what type of people are you looking for in these roles that are out in the Kevin Tran (11:35):

Yeah. Jessica Denson (11:35):

The world. Does it just depend on what it is? Kevin Tran (11:38):

Yes. Depends on what it is, what their interests are, but also, um, people who really resonate with me a lot. Um, as a recruiter, you know, I really have to connect with people on a, um, professional, but also an interpersonal level. Jessica Denson (11:55):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Kevin Tran (11:55):

I'd say. Um, I come from a, a place where, um, a rural area, not a lot of resources. Um, and when I go and recruit for people, I want to be able to recruit for those types of people who had those similar experiences as me. So, so that they can grow and become, you know, whoever they want to be. Jessica Denson (12:15):

Mm-hmm Kevin Tran (12:15):

<affirmative>. Exactly. And, you know, try to, I want to try to help people essentially get out of that, not get out of the community, but provide more resources in their community Jessica Denson (12:25):

So can, Kevin Tran (12:25):

So they can stay there. Yeah. Jessica Denson (12:26):

Yeah. And is grow me up in a rural area. How important do you think it is to connect rural America? Kevin Tran (12:32):

Oh, I think it's completely important. Um, I think that we have to start with the rural communities themselves, network with each other, and then eventually from there kind of grow into a bigger space, connecting with people like you yourselves. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Other people from different companies so that we can educate ourselves, um, and get more knowledge, um, in the areas that we kind of want to learn more in. Jessica Denson (12:55):

Speaking of connections, how did you, uh, connect with Ramona? Kevin Tran (12:58):

Yeah, so, uh, Ramona, she provided me a pass mm-hmm <affirmative>. For the conference this week. Um, and I got that through again, our interim CEO Taylor Stucker Uhhuh, Jessica Denson (13:09):

Um, Kevin Tran (13:10):

Yeah. And kind of learned more about the conference, wanted to come here and learn more everything, uh, that the conference has to offer. Jessica Denson (13:17):

Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Kevin for, uh, joining me. I really appreciate it, and I hope you learned a whole bunch. Kevin Tran (13:22):

Thank you, Ramona. Oh, thank you Jessica. That's, sorry about that. That's okay. I'm no, a little nervous. Jessica Denson (13:27):

That's okay. You're doing great. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Appreciate, enjoy the conference. Kevin Tran (13:30):

Thank you. Jessica Denson (13:41):

On the next episode of Connected Nation, we'll continue our coverage from a Connected America. Until then, I'm Jessica Denson.