saw a job opening I'm scared of applying for....

I guess it's too late to kick you in the pants since all these size 8's (common shoe size around here) already did it. My 13 W may not have as much of an effect. I know nothing about the work but I can be a cheerleader (minus the cute skirt and lettered sweater.)

Don't be afraid of success, or failure. Anyone who tries is not a total failure. And you will certainly lose if you don't try.

Even though I've been to college a number of times pursuing a EE, I never have been to trade school. In March of 1983, I hired on to an electrical construction company (sub-contractor). My supervisor was a journeyman named Bill.

"Do you have any tools?"

"No."

"Do you have any experience?"

"Physically, no."

So, he took me to get a set of tools. And we came back to the job and he showed me how to bend pipe. And I was off and running. For those of you who live around here, it was a 4 story bank on I-30 near the Samuel Blvd exit.

With the right training and experience from a few people, you will become much more effective than all the book learning that can be had. More importantly, if you have the right mindset for the job, you will be golden.

Jump in with both feet and start swimming.

Also, you may be excellent at this work and it would be a shame for you to not do it. Both for the benefit of the clients and for the benefit of you.

Like the Nike ad, "Just do it."

marty_ga

 Spiritdogs (Anne) works with the aging in MA, I believe.  Send her a PM if she doesn't see this.

I saw it!  For gosh sakes, apply!!!!  What we need in aging services are people like you who love working with the seniors.  The biggest deal is having that desire to help them, and respect them, which you seem to have in spades.  Go for it - always do the work you love, even if it's part time!!!  

(Was I cheerleading enough?????)  

 Didn't get the job - or an interview.  Just a nice apology that the position was already filled and the ad wasn't taken down in a timely fashion.  Still looking for a job.  Entry level positions in the human/social services just are very hard to come by, unless I want to do in home care for minimum wage (I have NOTHING against the work - actually I really enjoy it, but I cannot survive off minimum wage and I'm trying to avoid taking two jobs).  I wish financially I could afford to just work part time or be able to take a minimum wage job - but with mortgage, electricity, heating, car payments, college loans, and minimal credit card debt (compliments of Ari's surgery) well....

I'm really bummed out the position working for elders.  

 I'm really sorry to hear that.

Is there any way you can sort of get your foot in the door somewhere else? Maybe volunteer weekly, with an eye open for any job openings? Call around to people you know in the industry?

I spent a solid 6 months applying very seriously for position in my chosen field (psychology research), only to get rejections or no followup whatsoever. Finally I emailed a former professor, asking if he knew of any openings that might be coming up in the future. After 3 weeks of harassing him for an answer, I totally gave up on ever hearing back, and then he asked if I could come in for an interview the next day - not only did he know of a position, but he was hiring!! So I came in for the interview and was hired on the spot, but had to wait a few weeks for paperwork to go through because they're technically not supposed to hire someone on the fly like that without first officially advertising the position and taking candidates. I got a sneaking suspicion that some of the jobs I had been applying to for the last few months had been informally filled before the job was even posted, know what I mean? Very frustrating, but it certainly taught me not to rely on formal job postings!!

I know it feels horribly rude and socially awkward, but if you have any contacts at all in the field, just ask them to give you a heads-up if they hear of any job openings. You never know - something might open up for you!

Best of luck!!!