National Adult Literacy Database

April 6, 2009

This week, we have 7 stories written by learners from Toronto, Ontario. The students – Barb, Donna, Christopher, Justin, Gilson, Lindon and Estera - are all presently enrolled in the Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program at the Centre for Community Learning and Development in Toronto.

Investing in the Future

by Justin Kwon

Investing in my education, career, and family are important for my future. My career goal is to become a chef. My investment in my education will help me achieve my goal because the course I will take will teach me how to cook food properly, at the right temperature, and to do things such as measure items and convert units, like grams to kilograms.

The course will require two years. Every year I will learn something new because each class I attend will be a different topic. Some classes might teach me how to cook on the grill and to properly sanitize the food. The school will help me to properly wash the equipment that I am using. The teachers will probably start the class by telling everyone what kind of utensils to bring and what not to bring.

My investment in my education and career will allow me to take care of my family. My career will give me money that eventually I can use to help my cousins pay for tuition. I will also help them by telling what they need to know in their studies. As well, this money can assist my mom by paying her debts. My investment of hard work will be for my family because they are the ones that took care of me while I was growing up. I will make money to support them for their goals.

Investing in my career will eventually help me open my own restaurant. Managing the restaurant will be hard work, but because I will have already learned how to handle the basics of running a restaurant through the hard work I will have done during my years at college, I expect it to be successful. When that happens, I will have a good return on my investment.