LEWISTON — On Friday, “College Day” in Androscoggin County, Linda Gosselin will wear her Central Maine Community College shirt to the CareerCenter, where she has what she considers her dream job.

After years of working as an educational technician, Gosselin, 51, of Greene found work as a career consultant.

“I love my job,” she said Tuesday. She helps others find the right job or program to go back to school. “I love being able to cheer people on, to coach them, teach them and work through hardships.”

Her path to that job started with a 2012 Sun Journal story about a Turner woman who went back to college after raising her children.

“It spoke to me,” Gosselin said. “She had been an at-home mom while raising her family. She was an ed tech. Now it was time for her to go back to college,” and she received help from College For ME Androscoggin.

“I’m reading this article,” Gosselin said. “I said, ‘That’s me.’ I knew someday that would be me.”

She clipped the story and reached out to Joan Macri of College for ME Androscoggin. To help her enroll in the right program, Macri coached Gosselin to research careers.

Years earlier Gosselin had planned to go to college but didn’t.

After graduating from Lewiston High School she was accepted to the University of Maine at Presque Isle to study art. Days before she was to leave, Gosselin got cold feet.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “It scared me spending thousands of dollars and not knowing if this is really what I wanted.”

Instead, she got a job, eventually married and raised a family.

When her two children went to Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston, she volunteered. She enjoyed working at the school. She applied and got a job as an ed tech.

Through the years she took courses at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College and attended workshops and seminars.

When her children were grown, Gosselin wanted a better paycheck.

Working with Macri, Gosselin applied for college scholarships but learned she didn’t qualify. Macri suggested she research programs and workshops at the CareerCenter.

“I came to the CareerCenter and took every single workshop and seminar offered, resumes, interviewing,” Gosselin said.

She applied for a program to get financial help for college. She researched careers such as X-ray technician and dental assistant.

One day as she met with yet another CareerCenter professional for another workshop, it dawned on her. “I like what they’re doing. I can see myself doing that.”

She looked at www.maine.gov job offerings and saw a career consultant opening. Job requirements included a four-year degree or equivalent experience.

“I didn’t have a bachelor’s degree,” she said, and asked the consultant whether to apply. Given her experience, she was encouraged to go for it.

“Years ago I had worked at the Maine Department of Human Services. I had interviewing skills, customer service, teaching skills. I applied.”

She was offered the job.

At that point Gosselin had to decide whether to go to college or take the position. She took the job. Working at the CareerCenter “feels right,” she said. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Still wanting a degree, she met with Central Maine Community College educators and showed them her credits. They helped her enroll in a general studies program which meant she needed three classes to graduate.

In May she got her degree. “It took 32 years but I did it,” she said.

She encourages clients that there are many pathways to success, that they must advocate for themselves.

“Keep talking to people. Networking is 85 percent of how jobs are found,” Gosselin said. “Let people know you want to work. Don’t ever quit.”

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Friday, Dec. 4, is “College Day” in Androscoggin County, sponsored by College For ME Androscoggin.

Wear collge garb. Everyone is encouraged to wear their college garb, or their children’s or friends’ college garb to work that day. Some area restaurants will celebrating with free coffee. In schools elementary students will also be talking about college.

On Friday, the 10th annual College Day awards luncheon will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. The luncheon will honor inspiring college students, those who help students and employers who help workers continue their education.

For more information: www.collegeformeandroscoggin.org