Thank you for your comments, I appreciate the thoughtful contributions of folks on this forum.

I accepted. The long term planning I’ve been following thus far aligns with other people’s expectations of what someone in this industry traditionally does. Looking at where that path was leading me, I found that path does not clearly lead to where I intended when I made the career switch in the first place. I’ve been held here by the fear that others will judge I have too little experience, or can’t do what I say I can, unless I fulfill some vague idea of “X # years” until I’m “ready” to reach for my goals. My main goal is nontraditional and bridges two disciplines, and will hopefully be somewhat revolutionary, so there is no path to it but the one I make.

I also want to feel happy to go to work again. I want to jump into the ambitious goals I have while I’m young enough to make them go somewhere. The whim that made me apply was “well, this would be cool, if they actually think my experience fits their expectations, and really, who says when I’m ready but me?”. The other part was, “How will I know I’ll like that job if I don’t go try it, and where better than there?”

Some inspirational and insightful posts on this site helped me. It’s a big, huge, crazy step with lots of risk and possibility. I’m going to take that step, trust in myself, and see where this goes.