Guidance

[serenissima]

Abba guide me to see what I must do and give me strength to do the difficult things, because I am weak and lazy and often blind.

I went to bed shortly after 10 PM, but there is so much running through my head right now, I can't sleep. So I'm writing it to clear it from my mind.

There's an outing in the city this Saturday to go see a museum for free. However, I have two homework assignments to complete by Tuesday night: I didn't do last week's because my textbook had not yet arrived in the mail. My Sunday happens to be half occupied this weekend, and my laundry situation is approaching critical. I found out that the particular museum is always free on Saturdays, so maybe it would be best to postpone the museum visit until later -- say, next month, when an old friend is coming to visit me.

Tonight I was browsing the website of a free service that I use, noticed their "Jobs" link, and out of curiousity clicked on it. Lo, they are based in the megalopolis where I work, and they have openings for software engineers.

Requirements:

• A love of what you do
  
• The idea of helping grow local community worldwide thrills you
  
• Extensive experience programming in Java -- I'm familiar with Java, I did most of my college work in it
  
• Experience developing for the web -- Minor experience from 5+ years ago
  
• Strong DB/SQL skills -- SQL didn't look hard, when I had cause to look at it years ago
  
• Python/Perl/Ruby experience a plus -- Ditto Python, I once wrote a simple Jotto program in it
  
• Javascript experience a plus
  
• Formal CS Degree a plus -- Got that

This looks like a job I might enjoy, if only my skills were up to snuff. The problem is I haven't programmed since school. "Out of practice" is an understatement; I'm afraid I have forgotten most of what I learned. I went so far as to download and install the Python programming environment on my computer last year, but I haven't played with it.

I wonder if the company might be willing to offer me some sort of unpaid work, like an internship, to train/refresh me? Could I do that while continuing with a full time job plus taking a class?

I have the nagging sense that leads dangle in front of my face on a regular basis... I just have to recognize and pursue them.

Abba, let me accomplish what I need to accomplish.
"With God all things are possible." But that doesn't mean you can sit back and get a free ride.

Comments

[daisho.livejournal.com]

An internship could be tricky, though, since they're, more often than not, full-time, or at least held during normal working hours. It's still possible you could work something out, but then you could simply apply for the job, if there's a chance you can sharpen up your skills in time for interview (or at least when the job is due to start).

You have nothing to lose by having a go, and it's good to keep in practice with talking to recruiters. You also have a potential selling point for yourself in the shape of a low-ish starting salary, due to lack of experience. Provided you could still live on what they offered you, it would be a foot in the door that could lead to more lucrative positions further down the line.

The final decision rests with you, of course. But you're right, it's worth seizing opportunities that come your way, if you can.