But I did. I did ask. Because I'm a good student with 9 years of bachelor level social work experience. A 4.0 graduate student in the only program of its kind in Oregon (it's a little hubris-y in here). And the worst they could tell me was no. But they didn't tell me no -- they told me yes and arranged for an interview with a Hospice and Bereavement Placement.
The interview went terribly.
Ter.ri.bly.
Something was just off, you know? That's the worst ... when you can feel it slipping away and you're not sure why and you don't really know how to get it back on track. Not surprisingly, the phone call I received a week later informed me that they had chosen someone else for their internship.
I was crushed. I told them I was glad they had found somebody right for their position and asked them if they had any feedback for me (knowing I would have to interview again). Their answer could not have surprised me more. They said, "Oh, nothing, actually. You said everything right. We just aren't looking for someone with as much work experience as you have. We really want a younger intern we can mold."
A younger intern?
Too much work experience?
Dear hearts, this has an -ism attached to it! Ageism!
Knowing that bringing that up wasn't going to get me anywhere, I thanked her politely, hung up, and then called the Field Placement Team with my tail between my legs. They had been so gracious in setting this up for a first year student and I so felt as though I had let them down. Lucky for me, they were equally as baffled and a little unhappy with this agency (turns out for more than one reason). Then they set me up with the internship I have now and it's been a love-love relationship. One of the best experiences in my professional life. Heck, my personal life, too.
So why am I telling you all of this?
Because later today I will be interviewing for my 2nd year Advanced Internship. And I am stinking scared ... mostly because of how terribly the first interview went last year. This internship is the big one. This is the one for which my student profile went before a Graduate committee (and I was discussed in detail) to see if I was social worker worthy enough to be placed with my first internship choice. (Your 2nd year, you do ask.) So far, yes.
Interview's at 1:00 with my first choice.
Fingers crossed.
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I am crossing my fingers and TOES!! Good luck!
I just read this....but I'll cross just about anything to make sure you get this. I hope it went well...and I know you'll tell me all about it on Sunday. Hugs to you!
Oh... I'm hoping everything went smoothly for you. HUGS!