Awkwardness

I'm coming to terms with my awkwardness, but am not sure that I'll ever be completely comfortable. As a 30-yr-old college senior, I see many younger people who appear (though this could be completely superficial) to know who/what they are and are confident in themselves. I have accepted that I'm weird and consider this to be a nice quirk in my personality, but my discomfort and inability to appear/feel "smooth" (I can't really think of a better way to explain this--looking and feeling "put together," not the disaster that I feel I actually am). Even people who intentially look different from the "norm" (like, say, Lady Gaga) appear comfortable with themselves. I'm not sure how to be confident in my knowledge, abilities, and appearance, and it bothers me. One issue is that I plan on moving up in my current workplace and pursue a Master's degree, but would have to "sell" myself (demonstrate and explain my competencies). I fear I will look like a bumbling idiot instead, and feel even worse about myself. :sad:

Well you're lucky at least with the master degree. I don't have any diploma because of my Social Anxiety. Just look at it that way. It really bugs me, I want to, But I can't. So be proud you can!

And about the younger people, well, they might be more confident, but don't feel intimidated by it. I mean, you are the same worth. All people are worth the same. Keep that in head. Just like them, you deserve to be feeling happy. So whatever age someone is, it does not matter. You all have to be happy.

So just try to think off it like that way, You are important!

And as long as you fight, at your college, you will be the one being proud of. Because you made it! (that's someone I wish I could say, so you are my idol).

You landed the job that you are in now so you must have been able to pull off looking competent to those interviewers. I think pursuing your masters and graduating with your BA/BS will prove to them that you have the knowledge and abilities to succeed. You only have to pretend that your confident, and not actually be confident during the interview. Easier said than done of course. I know my school offers practice interviews so maybe you can try that if yours also offers that. You sound really intelligent, and I bet you will to fantastic during your interview.

I hated feeling like such a kid compared to the twentysomethings that were married, had kids, or were on their way to a successful career.

I just recently graduated last month at 31, and I have been too scared to search for a new job. I absolutely dread interviews and only seem to be able to do them when I don't have a job, and am facing dire consequences otherwise. I also want to persue my masters but I had a hard enough time dealing with the daily anxiety of big classes so I don't know if I can handle classes with only a handful of students that I must interact all the time.