Last week, I had the opportunity to give a talk at the annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Virginia Chapter, and the experience has stayed with me to this day.
It had been a while since I last did public speaking, and I had almost forgotten how enjoyable it can be to stand on stage and share my passion. A chain of feelings, from nervous to excited, flashed through me in just a few minutes. And I loved it!
I love the feeling of being part of something bigger - a community of people who are so passionate about what they do. Sitting among them and listening to their work made me realize something: I am no longer a child watching a Hollywood movie, admiring those hard-working scientists. I am now a part of the scene. It is the reason behind all of my endeavors, even if I sometimes need to be reminded of it.
I feel incredibly lucky to have such supportive colleagues and supervisors who refuse to let any of us struggle alone or be left behind. Their encouragement pushes me forward every day on this journey. The Smithsonians stick together! How awesome is that!
#SnapshotUSA #wildlifescience #conservation #historicaldata #wildlifedistribution #learningjourney
