However, the story I most identify with is that of Dwayne Lowery. In his story, he received literary sponsorship through career development and the requirements of his bosses and coworkers (peers) whom he directly supported. Consequently, in the same fashion as Dwayne Lowery, I had only received a high school education when I went out into the world to find a job. However, unlike Lowery, I worked in various trades, and finally ending up in the company where I have been employed for the last 25 years. During this time, the different positions I held gave me opportunities and exposure to highly intelligent people, who sometimes asked more of me than I believed I was capable of. As Brandt puts it, “Sponsors are delivery systems for the economies of literacy, the means by which these forces present themselves to and through individual learners. They also represent the causes in which people’s literacy usually gets recruited.” (Brandt, 166) In particular the Corporate Controller and Chief Financial Officer, of my company, have been my greatest sponsors from this source. Teaching and directing me over the years on how to best fit their requirements for my position. I would compare my experience with that of an apprentice, in the same way Brandt refers to this in her article when she states, “The apprentices’ experience …show more content…
Even though I believe that we hold much of the responsibility for our own literacy, at the same time, I understand that Brandt makes a valid point. To paraphrase, more influential individuals maintain their own power by directing the course of literacy for individuals. For example, my literary sponsors have been, until recently, superiors and peers at work and influential authors. However, returning to what I consider traditional literacy sponsorship, in order to prepare for my secondary education, I pursued college courses. Unbeknownst to me, the requirements of the Project Management Certificate Program had a fair amount of formal writing, which has prepared me for the curriculum ahead. These examples of my journey reflect not only the life choices I have made, but the opportunities’ I have seized upon to personally grow. In conclusion, I would say that I have experienced three defined sources of literacy sponsorship, which have contributed to my preparedness as a college writer. These being supervisors and peers at work, my college professors, and finally challenging writers I have