[BadNews4321]

So I'm having trouble staying focused because of some upsetting events.

I have been in school the past 3 months on a retraining program. It was government funded, meaning some of us in the class had come from tough backgrounds.

Part of our class included a practicum, I reached out at got a spot in the place I wanted, which is an awesome government job. Not only did I get a spot for me, but 5 of my classmates got positions as well. As it turns out, I was doing my practicum somewhere with a fellow classmate, where both of us did extremely well, we had a good experience, learned a lot, got to use some of the workers as references, had a very high practicum review score, and even had a pizza party for us at the end they were so happy with us.

Sounds all good? Well along comes the news that I have been invited for a job interview, but she hasn't yet. Maybe she will soon, I am still taking this hard though.

I only know a bit about her past, but I definitely know what it's like to go through a rough spot in life, and lose all your self esteem, and how hard it is to get out of that hole. I saw how hard she worked, how her confidence grew, and she was starting to believe in herself again. I believed in her right from the start, she just needed some support. When I was out of my element trying to help her, I went to our program director to see where she could get more professional assistance. Some of the time, it was tough since English is not her first language.

I'm very upset, but I have to get ready for my interview coming up this week. I know for me, even if I don't get that specific job, the school and practicum has been an overwhelming success. If I mess up in the interview, it's all on me. I'm ok with that. I have confidence that I will get employed there or somewhere similar though.

Here is someone with a language barrier and trying to dig herself out of a big hole. I know how nice she is to be around and how much she tries, she deserves a chance. She is just as capable of doing the job as I am, I've seen it. I feel like I've let her down. I don't know how to tell her to keep going, to not go back to where she was at the start of the class.

Like I said, I'm crushed, but need to somehow keep going.

[Sunflower123]

You're doing the most important thing you can do for her: you are being a good, encouraging, supportive friend. You can be her biggest fan as she walks her journey. I understand why you feel bad about her situation and if you ever get the chance to put in a good word for her do, but you're doing what's important. Best wishes.

[MickeyCheeky]

That's so sweet of you.. you sound like an amazing friend. Unfortunately, all you can really do is support her in her journey.. which is what all friends should do. Good luck to you and your friend

Good luck with your interview!

It's understandable you are feeling for your classmate, but I hope this won't take the edge off your achievements. You have worked hard too. Sometimes an employer has a very specific type of person they have in mind for a job, and it sounds like it may possibly be someone like you.

It sounds like an amazing program and you and your classmate will have gained lots of skills and experience which will hopefully help you in your futures - it might just be that it will take her a little longer, but she still has lots going for her. You have not let her down, if this break is not meant to be for her then keep faith that soon another one will be.

Remember your success does not mean her failure.

[Fireweed]

Originally Posted by BadNews4321

So I'm having trouble staying focused because of some upsetting events.

I have been in school the past 3 months on a retraining program. It was government funded, meaning some of us in the class had come from tough backgrounds.

Part of our class included a practicum, I reached out at got a spot in the place I wanted, which is an awesome government job. Not only did I get a spot for me, but 5 of my classmates got positions as well. As it turns out, I was doing my practicum somewhere with a fellow classmate, where both of us did extremely well, we had a good experience, learned a lot, got to use some of the workers as references, had a very high practicum review score, and even had a pizza party for us at the end they were so happy with us.

Sounds all good? Well along comes the news that I have been invited for a job interview, but she hasn't yet. Maybe she will soon, I am still taking this hard though.

I only know a bit about her past, but I definitely know what it's like to go through a rough spot in life, and lose all your self esteem, and how hard it is to get out of that hole. I saw how hard she worked, how her confidence grew, and she was starting to believe in herself again. I believed in her right from the start, she just needed some support. When I was out of my element trying to help her, I went to our program director to see where she could get more professional assistance. Some of the time, it was tough since English is not her first language.

I'm very upset, but I have to get ready for my interview coming up this week. I know for me, even if I don't get that specific job, the school and practicum has been an overwhelming success. If I mess up in the interview, it's all on me. I'm ok with that. I have confidence that I will get employed there or somewhere similar though.

Here is someone with a language barrier and trying to dig herself out of a big hole. I know how nice she is to be around and how much she tries, she deserves a chance. She is just as capable of doing the job as I am, I've seen it. I feel like I've let her down. I don't know how to tell her to keep going, to not go back to where she was at the start of the class.

Like I said, I'm crushed, but need to somehow keep going.

You sound like a very good friend. I hope things go well for her, and good luck to you too.

Hi BadNews,

You sound like a very nice person!! Some people would be like, "oh well, at least I made the cut." So the fact that you are taking her feelings into account is very empathic and compassionate of you. It's really nothing to feel guilty about. Though, I understand feeling guilty, at the same time.

I don't see anything wrong with telling her what you told us here, that you're not sure what to say, but feel, badly that she didn't get an interview, and to keep going because you know she has immense promise and can do things very well because you've seen her do it.

Will there be other opportunities for her?

[BadNews4321]

So I went and checked out the facility that I am going to be interviewed at. I think the reason why they are interested in me is I have worked with seniors and in subsidized housing before, so they might be interested in that skillset in dealing with those demographics. I'm excited for my own chances, that's for sure.

The thing is, on our practicum, we dealt with the same people, and she did extremely well. The language barrier melted away between her and the patrons. I've seen her really improve, leave her old self behind, and became assertive to the point where when we were asking some of the staff questions, I could barely get a word in...

I've never seen anyone work so hard and show so much improvement in a short period of time, it was really motivating to watch. I'm sure she'll land on her feet and do well, we are keeping in touch. There are plenty of employment opportunities for municipalities out here at the moment.

I don't want to see her loose faith the way I did at one point years ago. It was so difficult for me to go through that, and I don't want to that happen to anyone. I know how excited she is for the future. I really hope she stays the way she is now, and doesn't go back to the very shy person at the beginning of the program.