This text was based on a conversation with Erik Bquist, a 27-year-old from Sutton, New Hampshire. Erik travels around the United States (and not only) as a home guardian. He also deals with video editing. Recently, it also helps people – mainly older – in acquiring technological skills. Business Insider confirmed the interlocutor's identity and the fact that he earns money in this way.
To the idea of teaching a generation baby boomers technology, I was inspired by everyday situations with my mother and observations of my dad's work.
I helped my mother in simple matters like e-mail, browsing the Internet, watching movies on YouTube. She often did not know that you could change the play speed or go back a few seconds with the arrow button.
My mother lives in a 55 plus person, and one day after I helped her, she said:
“Erik, you should do it for everyone here.”
She was right. If I really want to help someone, I just have to let me know that I'm willing.
My task is not only to translate the basics. Sometimes I help verify the information that someone has heard or searches for something on the internet to check if it is credible at all. Another time it is something completely ordinary – like a desire to buy a set of needlework markers. I ask if they were considering shopping at Amazon, if they had an account there. If not, I help to put them on.
I want people I help, understand that regardless of their physical state, they can only move their fingers. Seriously, they are incredibly smart. You talk to someone who is 80 years old – I do not want to generalize, but I will risk – and you see that they can do the same on the computer as younger. I don't want older people to disappear. Their wisdom cannot be abyss. I want them to be able to express themselves.
This occupation has been difficult for about half a year. Currently works, among others over the digitization of brother's diaries of one of the clients. The man is already dead, and the notes include several decades.
He wants to have all this in PDF to be able to share with friends. We are also thinking about using AI to create an audio version of logs. This will allow even better to recall memories and its way of telling. And when everything is digitized, you will even be able to use the text to create songs with the help of AI.
That's why I sit down with people, usually live, and I ask: “What do you want to do? What has recently interested you?”
The first person outside the family I helped was a neighbor. I've always seen her with a dog. We once started talking, she said that she could no longer listen to audiobooks in the evening, because the battery on her phone is unloading quickly.
Erik checked on the internet how to replace the battery in the iPhone 7. He uses an older model, but it is enough for it. I'm not going to push her new phone. Part of the battery reviews were poor. After a month they stopped acting again. So I suggested that she not buy the cheapest, but she went to an authorized service. It cost $ 90. (approx. PLN 339). She said: “That's great. Thank you. I want to pay you for it.”
I refused because it was a great lesson for me. It took me from 15 minutes. And I gave her all my knowledge in a minute, which was very important to her.
In fact, all this activity is to conjure up technology and provide people with knowledge.
This work has become a great complement to the professional rhythm. In recent months I have had three regular customers. The meetings last about an hour. I don't do it 40 hours a week, but it's a valuable occupation. From the beginning I devote from 4 to 12 hours a week. And I like it very much.
The rate per hour is $ 50. (approx. PLN 188). I haven't had the heart to raise her so far. People are ready to pay for it. Those who call are delighted. They say: “Oh mother, it's a pity that nobody did it before.”
Every customer surprises something. Someone will throw a slogan like: I heard that BlueSky is the opposite of X. And this makes me start to drill the topic myself. It's fascinating.
Soon I'm going to Seattle, where I will look after the house where two beagle live. I have been doing it for several years. There are cafes two minutes from home. I will leave leaflets there and in a grocery store. We'll see who will speak.
I also led a few sessions through guy, but when I am there, people more often ask if I can drop in the following week. One of the things we are working on is the transition from cash or a check to Venmo.
The article is a translation with American Business Insider edition.
