I am so embarrassed! (Image via Wikipedia)
I can’t believe this is actually happening… I rummaged in my backpack frantically looking for my script. Finally, I found it crumpled in the corner and shakily read out the rest of my presentation. How can this happen? I was utterly humiliated.
This was my first experience presenting research at a lab in front of the principal investigator, several graduate students, and other undergraduate research assistants. I froze mid-way during the presentation even though I had carefully memorized my entire speech the night before.
After this incident, I never wanted to present again. I had the idea that public speaking is for the gifted few who are able to magically deliver beautiful sentences with what seemed like no effort at all. Yet there was something in me that wasn’t ready to give up. For some very strange reason, I signed myself up to give an oral presentation at the UBC Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC) later that same year in 2012.
I remember the day of MURC very clearly. I was a nervous wreck waiting to present. “Why, why would you do this to yourself, why, why, why!?” was going through my head in an endless loop. The presenter before me finished, the audience clapped, and then my name was called. I was 100% sure that I would slur my words and stutter because I was just too nervous. But then an amazing thing happened. I placed my notes down on the beautiful wooden podium and looked out at an audience that seemed genuinely interested to hear what I had to say. I felt a new sense of empowerment and from there, delivered a very smooth talk.
Maybe what I have to say is worthwhile after all (Image via Flickr by Joe Hardy)
This was a defining moment for me because I realized that when you confront your fears, you take back the power it has over you. Communicating science in the form of a verbal presentation is a very powerful experience. You can inspire an audience, tell a compelling story about your research, and share knowledge with others that are eager to have you answer their questions. After presenting at MURC, it gave me the courage to pursue many other opportunities that I never had the confidence to go after before. I learned that being courageous isn’t not being afraid, it’s being scared to death but doing it anyways.
This past weekend, I presented another research project at MURC 2014. To my horror, a key slide in my powerpoint was missing during my presentation, causing me to stumble. But you can bet this won’t stop me from presenting again in the future! If you have been involved in some cool research and have thought about presenting, I encourage you to go for it! I bet you’ll be surprised at how well you’ll do! Here’s a fun resource with tips on public speaking by Zach Holman.
Written by Vivian Kwan
