I don’t talk much.
I’m most comfortable alone in the lab with my pipette and my soil samples. The most social interaction I get is normally from other equally introverted peers knocking on my lab door because they need something autoclaved.
But this last week I’ve had to hold hands with strangers while standing on 2×4’s, share living space with about 13 people for two nights, meet my hero (Dr. Fierer) on a campus that puts the Auraria campus to shame and work in a lab that makes mine look like small dark closet.
I have been pushed so far out of my comfort zone I don’t think I’ll ever return. Even if I tired to go back, I wouldn’t fit in there anymore. I’ve evolved.
This group of RECCS interns are the most amazing and mentally stimulating people I have had the pleasure to meet. I was terrified that I would be the oldest, or the only minority, or the least intelligent, or the most awkward.
But I was wrong.
I forgot most people who are into science are awkward!
This is the first time I have ever met a group of people that I didn’t feel uncomfortable with. The fact that they were all worried about the same issues was rather comforting. They are a bit more out going than me but i am beginning to learn how to speak up because of it. Who knew it would take me 28 years to find my voice.
I will be in the lab for the rest of the summer, but it is nice to know I have friends around the corner to confide in.
–Lady G.
Wow, Lady, I’m so glad that RECCS is helping you find your voice! You’ll be pushed in other and good ways in the Feier lab too. Continue to evolve!
Lady, I found this relatable in so many ways, many tasks can be daunting as an introvert! It is good to know I was not the only person with these same thoughts, before becoming apart of our RECCS cohort. We got this! 🙂