Melissa, an incredibly inspiring woman, paid us a visit last Thursday. Her simple powerpoint was accompained by her colorful and inviting stories of her journey as a reseacher as well as a student. Her journey was a source of reassuarnce that our first choices do not necessarily dictate our future . She added that our bad choices serve as a source of experience. She spoke of how persistance and determination led her to publishing a paper in a scientific journal that otherwise would not have been published. She was very clear that connections are important and large part of one's career and should therefore be taken seriously and should put an effort into. Towards the end she concluded with the idea that self belief is the basis of success, adding that if you don't believe in what you are doing yourself you cannot expect others to believe in you. Students found her stories encouraging. I, personally, was left with afterthoughts of taking chances and daring to trust my instincts.
/Gabriella Tesfamichael Habtezion, Rays 2017