Obama Organizing Fellows... eeek
Gah! I'm scared!
I'm applying to be in the Obama Organizing Fellows program this summer. Here's the program description:
This summer we are looking for people who want to be a part of a new generation of leadership that believes, like Senator Obama, that real change comes from the ground up.
Fellows will be trained on the basics of organizing & campaign fundamentals and then placed in a community to carry out grassroots activities. Fellows will be asked to commit to a minimum of 30 hours per week and will:
- participate in training on field organizing, messaging, and other activities
- organize in a community, working in conjunction with grassroots leaders and campaign staff
- continue to build the movement
I'm worried, though, for two main reasons:
1. I don't have any money, really, and this is an unpaid position. It might be less prestigious, but should I try to just be a paid staffer for the campaign? Or should I go for the more prestigious (I assume), but unpaid position? During the program, they house you, but I don't know if there's any sort of reimbursement (travel expenses, meals, etc.) I'd probably have to borrow money to just get by. I know I should grab opportunities when they come, but this is sort of risky and nerve-wracking. It's worth keeping in mind that while a paid position doesn't pay much, it does come with health insurance, which is something I NEED come August. I can't go without it. The fellowship runs until "the end of the summer."
2. Could I even get in? I'd hate to be rejected by the Obama folks after all the volunteering I've done, after how much I've wanted to be a part of the campaign. Looking at the application, I worry that I'm totally inadequate. I haven't been super-involved in College Dems throughout all of college... I haven't had any cool internships or jobs. Also, Obama supporters tend to be very articulate and passionate. I worry that I won't stand out among the applicants. I shouldn't let fear of rejection deter me, but it's worth expressing. I don't even have an up-to-date resume because I have no idea what to include- it doesn't seem impressive enough, either.
I'm sure I'm being silly and irrational... I'm just not confident about this at all.
-Kati