Phase One — Pre-Entry Foundation · Module 3 of 24 · 90 minutes
Email, smartphones, internet basics, online applications, passwords, and digital literacy.
What you will be able to do
- Set up a professional, secure email account.
- Understand basic password safety and account recovery.
- Practice completing an online job or benefits application.
Why this matters
Email is your digital address. It’s required for job applications, banking, health portals, and benefits. If a system can’t reach you, it locks you out — and almost every system now runs online.
Reality check: A lot has changed. If your last experience with a smartphone or the internet was years ago, expect this to feel unfamiliar — that’s normal, not a failure. The systems you’ll need to use (job boards, banking apps, telehealth) assume a comfort level most people build gradually. You’re starting now.
Activity
Set up a free email account with a professional name (firstname.lastname@provider.com), record the password securely, and set up account recovery. Practice one mock online application.
Scenario
You apply for a job online and you’re asked for an email — you don’t have one, or you have one from ten years ago you can’t log into anymore.
What would you do first?
Reflection
- What felt hardest about setting up your email or account today?
- What’s one digital skill you want to get better at in your first 90 days?
My action plan (pick at least one)
- Create or recover one working email account with a secure password.
- Save your login information somewhere safe and memorable.
- Identify one free place (library, program computer) to access the internet regularly.
Resources
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov) — Online Privacy & Security Basics
- Local library — free computer access and digital literacy classes
- GetInternet.gov / Affordable Connectivity resources for low-cost internet access
Completion checklist
- ☐ I have a working email account I can access.
- ☐ I know my password and how to recover it if I forget.
- ☐ I know at least one place I can go to get online for free.
Milestone: You can log into your own email account without help.
Tip: use your browser’s Print button to print this page or save it as a PDF. Your answers are private — bring this sheet to class or share only what you choose.
Mark this module complete
Submit this short check-in so Renewed Ambition can track your progress toward your certificate.