Part 1 — It’s Real Now
I spent the better part of Q1 2026 studying to be a peer support specialist, working hard to fit my training around other obligations, which ended up meaning I left two jobs because of this commitment. Faithfully, week in and week out, I attended virtual trainings, compiled notes and ran mock exams to prep for what was becoming my next professional step.
The training institute granted me a scholarship so I could be a part of the cohort without stress to my wallet (which I vowed I’d pay back to them through my eventual earnings — and I did). My job search proved to be equally as swift. Everything was working for me. I recounted the experience as a post on LinkedIn.
I was shocked and in a bit of disbelief.
During my interview, the program director was concerned that I didn’t have any formal experience in this role. But after talking with her about how I’ve worked with transitional age youth in the past, she seemed to light up.
We both thought the interview went well. I shook her hand, feeling accomplished, but figured I’d go back to “waiting to hear.”
She called me 20 minutes after I left the facility and offered me the job. “Normally, I don’t extend an offer to someone on the same day, but I was so taken with our conversation…I consider it a sign. I don’t have to look anymore.”
A verbal offer not even a half hour after interviewing? I was stunned. To me, this was an open door — a signal that I’d been doing the right things and preparing for an opportunity like this.
Earlier that day, in the midst of pre-interview jitters, I laid on the bed and thought about how amazing it would be to make a difference in the lives of the people coming into that facility. There was something…natural…about the idea.
After I accepted, I got a little nervous. Because it’s real now. No more waiting, no guessing. Unless I chicken out, this is my new job. I’m so proud of myself and touched by the experience.
I then began a 3-week pre-hire process comprised of a physical, a drug test, fingerprinting and background checks, a driver’s report. Seems like a lot, but certainly justified.
