A Key Observation
Over the past two weeks, I have collectively spent 30 hours on a train going to and from my summer internship. On these train rides, I often listen to music or podcasts, and try my best to catch up with friends. Occasionally, I will read up on any news I may have missed out on during the day and recently, I have been re-teaching myself Italian.
On my last train ride of my second week of work, I finally took the time to do absolutely nothing. I sat, I watched the world pass by, and I reveled in the success of my day. Not once in my head did I say, “I’m so lucky this worked out,” or “I’m so fortunate to have landed this job.” Instead, I took the time to praise myself on working hard, being proactive, and getting sh*t done.
I’ve read a lot of articles recently on how women communicate and act in the workplace. We try to take up less space and are quick to apologize for small mistakes. Very rarely do we own up to our successes and quite often, we credit our success on luck.
As an intern, I have a lot of time to observe throughout the workday. I look at how other people walk, if they roll their shoulders down or keep their head held high. I listen for uncertainty in people’s voices or if their words echo across the room. I look to see if people take initiative or if people stay quiet.
Not one woman in my office walks with her head down. Not one woman whispers when she has a great idea. Not one woman slumps at her desk all day, melting into the background.
Every single woman walks with her shoulders back and head held high. Every woman speaks freely and loudly when she has something to say. Each and every woman plays an active role in her team and never sits on the sidelines.
Maybe it is being around this community of strong, brilliant woman that has inspired me to take the time on the train for myself. They prove to me that I have worked hard to get where I am, that even being an intern is no easy task. Every day, they remind me it is ok to not be perfect, and that it will take time to be comfortable with my work. But never have any of the women doubted my capabilities or shot down my ideas.
And honestly, neither have the men.
I hope for the many remaining hours I have left commuting to and from work for the summer, I take the time to be proud of myself. To be proud to be a working woman, to be a smart and proactive worker. It is one thing to listen to other people’s successes: their number #1 hits on Spotify or a journalist’s front page feature. But it is another to revel in my own successes and to one day hope, people listen to mine too.