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[Frelock]

I'm currently in a massive internal debate, and was wondering if you guys might be able to help me sort through some things.

I graduated college last May with a math degree and an engineering degree (dual-majored).  This also meant that I lost my job as a tutor with the university, so I'm out and about looking to find my first job to start myself off in a career.  A few weeks ago I went to the school's big fall career fair.  I handed out a ton of resumes and really didn't expect much coming back.  I ended up getting 2 calls for interviews.  One of them was for a technical sales position (including their year-long leadership/development program into that capacity).  I wasn't excited about the job; I wanted to be building things and solving technical problems, not selling stuff.  But I decided to go anyways, thinking that an interview experience was good for me.  Though I arrived a few minutes late (both my desired parking lot and backup lot were full), I apparently made a decent impression because now they're inviting me back for a second interview.  There even willing to fly me completely across the US.  The "interview" will consist of two actual interviews along with giving a sample sales presentation on a product of my choice.

Now, here's where the dilemma starts.  I've been out of work for a good 5 months now; it was great to take the summer off, but now with dwindling savings I really need a job.  So necessity dictates that I need this position, and should definitely go.  However, I really don't want to go.  What I'm trying to figure out is why I don't want to go.  It's probably one of two reasons.  The first is that I'm afraid.  Afraid of looking stupid in front of interviewers, afraid of going to a city of which I know nothing with no travel companions, and just old-fashioned, all-around social anxiety(pretty common for me).  The second possibility is that I simply know that I'd be a bad fit in a sales position, and that it's not what I want to do anyways.

If it's just the first, then I really should just man up and do it (though even typing that fills me with dread and gives me a lump in my stomach).  On the other hand, if its the second, then I'm not sure if I should invest all the time and effort required to prepare a presentation for a job that I don't really want, not to mention costing the company around a grand to ship me over there.  So how can I tell the difference?  And if it's the first, anyone have any strategies for looking fear in the eye and pushing forward?  Finally, not having any business classes whatsoever, how does one sell a product?

[Siquo]

Well, on the rational side:
A. If they're willing to fly you across the US, there's definitely going to be sales training, they're not going to throw you off the deep end as that's just a waste of investment.
B. Both the training and the job in sales (should?) could increase your social skills and help you face and conquer some of that social anxiety.
C. You need the money. Being in a situation where you need a job messes up your priorities: You should start looking for a job long before you actually need one, otherwise you run the risk of ending up in one that you hate (again).
D. Two majors, a math and an engineering one, is Effing Awesome, even if it's just college (or are they Masters? Because in that case you're Totally Awesome). You're a prize, a rare valuable specimen, even if you don't like to admit it to yourself. You'll get a lot more offers, so don't worry.

Emotional side:
A. Traveling is scary. But have you ever looked at all the business commuters in airports? Bored out of their skull. Blasé, even. Just pretend to be one, after all, you're just going on a routine business trip. Pretending to be a routine flyer made it even fun, for me.
B. You're young, malleable, cheap, well educated, and intelligent. You're a good investment. Keep that in mind. Also remember that you can quit at any time, and just start a new job elsewhere. This doesn't have to be a Major Life Decision.
C. Selling stuff... I'm not good at it either. Perhaps pretend that you're the potential customer. What does someone need to say for you to say yes? Well, say that

[GTM]

Congrats on getting an interview.  I have friends and family on the business/sales side of engineering, so I might be able to allay some of your apprehension here.

First and foremost, realize that, if nothing else, this is good practice for a job you might care more about.  You get to practice traveling alone, presenting in front of people, and you can try out some interview answers to see how they sound out loud.  Even if you don't end up taking this job, you'll still have gained EXP before the boss fight, so to speak.  

Have they clarified what technical sales does at their company?  Typically, those people work in a sales team alongside actual sales people.  You get to be more of the "smart guy" who answers questions the sales person doesn't understand.  When the customer is like "does your widget have structural integrity to 20 kilobobs?" the sales guy is going to go "I'll let my colleague Frelock answer this one." Your tutoring experience is relatable here.  Technical sales is very much a problem solving position in that a customer may need X Y and Z, while your company only offers W X and Y.   It's up to you to make things work. 

To succeed at a presentation, here's what to demonstrate:
-technical expertise in the product
-how the product will benefit the customer
-explain it in clear, direct language
-cater to the audience - know whether you're explaining things to management-types or technical-types

They're probably not expecting a convincing pitch right away if they're willing to give everyone a year of leadership training.  You'd learn the subtleties on the job- at this point it's more about showing work ethic and thought process.  

One last note is that you could also use this as an opportunity to get your foot in the door at the company and try to transition to more pure engineering over time.  I wouldn't mention that during the interview though.

[Frelock]

You both make good points.  Thanks for the advice.  I also spent the day talking to quite a few close family and friends, and they all say to go for it too.  I've even got a "product" in mind: I worked with a team at my university to propose an instrument for a NASA mission.  I know that thing inside and out, and there's probably a few files sitting on my old professor's desktop with the information for the actual proposal.  Even though I just worked on building it, I bet I can sell it to them.

I just wish my stomach would settle down.  And I've been told I need to stop pacing; they say it'll only make me more anxious.

[ukulele]

I agree that you should go, and also i recomend you use your lack of interest in this particular job to your advantage, try to think that you dont want this, that its only for the sake of traveling and knowing new people, if you take importance from the interview it becomes easier to not be nervous. Its like talking with an ugly girl, no one gets nervous with her.

Good luck and congrats on your degrees

[ToonyMan]

You are like my future Frelock. 

If I ended up in that situation...I know it would be scary to go but I would go.  Otherwise I would just be doing the same-old, same-old.  Once you get over that initial anxiety it's like a whole different world to learn and experience.

It's like, the basic blocks of self improvement.