Progression of Events

For the last few weeks I have been going through the interview process for the Chief of Social Work position for Child Welfare. It was a grueling process with two interviews with two different panels of interviewers. I was aware at the beginning of the process there were 7 candidates who were picked to be interviewed. After the first interview process the 4 of the candidates were eliminated and 3 went on to the second interview. I knew my friend Heather had applied and even though we were in competition we leaned on each other for moral support. The second interview was harrowing. After it was over I was sure my chances were shot and Heather felt the same way. The last interview was on a Thursday and the following Tuesday Heather and I received an e-mail to meet with the division administrator at our central office. We were baffled. What reason would they have to meet with both of us at the same time? Was this some sort of odd inappropriate extension of the interview process? Were we going to have to debate for the position with each other with spectators? Obviously, we were wildly speculating!

What we found out was Heather was being offered the position we both applied for but in a wicked turn of events, my supervisor (the other chief in our region) had been offered a project at central office so I would be the acting chief in her position. I am really excited. I have been interested in this job for a while but have been a chicken little about it because it involves going to grad school. Now I get the opportunity to test drive a job I am interested in for the next 18 months. I will have to go to grad school but all my excuses about not going previously are gone and I can't seem to come up with any more, although I have tried!

I have been fully immersed in this process and have not felt like I had the brain-power to even post these last few weeks. Hopefully as the interview stress of my life is over I will be interested in posting again!

I have to say thanks to my big sister for her words of advice and encouragement. It helped tremendously.