Digital Literacy
Aug 23, 2024

Jurij Nowickyj’s Journey from Educator to Apple Tech Trainer

Jurij Nowickyj’s Journey from Educator to Apple Tech Trainer
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A Lifelong Love for Training

“Technically my business card says that I am an adult technology trainer/consultant,” says Jurij Nowickyj. After spending over forty years as an educator at the intersection of computer technology and gerontology, the 64-year-old is kickstarting a new career.

“I am a tech trainer, and training is the love of my life. I truly enjoy the training environment. When I became 55, one of my goals was to work at the Apple Store. At the Apple Store, you are actually not expected to sell; you are expected to engage with the customer—that's their motto—learn about what the customer does, and the product will sell by itself. That's an amazing philosophy to me.”

Empowering Through Confidence

Simplifying technology for the user has always been a priority for Jurij. In teaching a wide variety of classes, he has adhered to a consistent philosophy: revealing confidence within his users.

“Whether it was an iPad class, or a ‘Welcome to Windows,’ I start the class and say I'm not here to teach about computers. They all look at me like, ‘are we in the wrong class?’ I say, I am here to teach you something more important, and it's called confidence. How many of you have taught your children or your grandchildren how to ride a bike? We have got to fall, and then we get up again—you’ve motivated them and have had the wonderful smile of watching them ride successfully, you’ve seen them get the training wheels off. You guys all have a wonderful wealth of experience in that journey. Well, guess what, this is just another tool, and you’ve all taken the first step, which is to come to this class.”

Staying Connected and Fit

As Jurij embarks on his new journey with Apple, he holds on to the foundations of tech interface he used during his time working at Ernst and Young and volunteering at the McConaghy Center.

“My advice as we all get older is that we need to keep our body and our minds fit… So, therefore, if you can build and stay connected to your community through your mind, by stimulating your mind—the technology will facilitate you to stay connected.”

Jurij stays fit by practicing a 108-move Tai Chi routine each morning, continuing to volunteer in tech training, and following his career at Apple, wherever it may take him.

*Authored by Karissa Schumacker