Mark Watlock
Owner, Advantage Computer Training
The Who
Have you ever had one of those frustrating encounters with Microsoft Excel, usually involving blank stares at the spreadsheet wondering just how do you get that little row to go there, or how to get that formula to do that, and how in the world do you even begin to print labels? Luckily, there are people in this world like Mark Watlock. Mark does computer training for Windows and Microsoft Office, and yes, he says much of his training is geared towards Excel. With his company, Advantage Computer Training, Mark offers personalized, hands-on computer training, and with his mobile laptop classroom, he’ll come right to you.
Mark got his start in the early days of computers, working at Dynabyte Computers on Main Street (remember that one?) and then Computer Land in sales. In a time when there was no Best Buy Geek Squad, Mark had to do all his own computer training and tech support for his customers. He had to learn all the software in addition to making the sales, and he learned it all on the job, he says. He soon realized, however, that he was better at teaching than sales. A natural communicator, his ‘let’s solve it together’ approach to training was greatly appreciated by customers and earned their loyalty. No matter the student’s level of computer knowledge, “you cannot embarrass them,” Mark says, “or they’ll never want to learn from you.” Instead, Mark emphasizes a hands-on, conversational method of computer training. Students are encouraged to share and learn from each other, and often, he says, he learns a thing or two from them. Mark also bases his computer training on real-life scenarios and applications, and he takes special care to tailor his classes to meet the clients at their level. And with over 25 years of computer training experience, he’s seen it all (a CD-ROM drive being used as a cup holder stands out in particular). But most importantly, as a dynamic and engaging teacher, Mark makes learning all the minutiae of Excel fun.
THE Why OpenSpace
At first, Mark says, he thought it was the infrastructure and the great workspace that brought him here. But after spending more and more time here, he realizes that it’s the people that make OpenSpace such a great place to work. “There’s so much talent here,” he says, “If you have a social media question, you go ask Marijean, or a career question, you go talk to Cathy Pales. And the staff are great, too.” We like having you here too, Mark.
What You Might Not Know
Mark is a dedicated, life-long Notre Dame football fan (Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!) and a music trivia buff. Find your favorite, most obscure 80’s song, and he’ll probably know who played bass on that track as well as any subsequent, equally obscure band they were a part of. Let the quizzing commence!
Photo credit: Jen Fariello
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Join us in the Conference Studio tomorrow, from 3-5pm for a coffee tasting with Mudhouse manager, Dan Pabst.
