Have you ever said no to an opportunity because you believed you were not equipped to handle it? Have you found yourself not advocating for what you believe you deserve? Before college, I never thought to ask myself these questions. Confidence was never something I thought about.
It was not until my sophomore summer that I began to understand the importance of confidence. During that summer, I completed the Girls Who Invest Summer Intensive Program, where industry leaders emphasized the importance of advocating for one’s needs and showing up confidently in the workforce. We even had trainings where we yelled “no” at each other to practice the skill. At the time, I did not fully understand the importance of what I was being taught, but the concept of confidence stuck with me. That program helped me step outside of my comfort zone.
When I came back from my Girls Who Invest experience, I jumped into my first venture of confidence. At the time, a popular student-led research consulting initiative was shut down, leaving both the college and its students without this valuable program. It quickly became apparent that there were no efforts to replace this opportunity. So, my team and I decided to create our own: our college’s first student-led consulting project, aimed at increasing engagement between underclassmen and the Career Center. From running meetings to delivering our final report and presentation, I oversaw every step of the process. For the first time, I believed I could do things that I was unfamiliar with, and I started saying yes to opportunities and challenges that came my way.
Not only did I see my confidence grow, but I also saw my team members transform alongside me. We embraced the unfamiliar, and I found purpose in community as we worked together to create meaningful impact.
Since our initial student project, the team has continued to expand. What started as a group of six students has grown into a full classroom of students, each one eager to gain hands-on experience in research and help the campus community. The project has become a safe space for students to grow in their confidence, take risks, and learn through their mistakes along the way.
This experience taught me that community is not something we simply stumble upon—it’s something we create, shape, and nurture, especially when the spaces we need do not yet exist. That belief has driven my commitment to making a difference in Colorado, where collaboration, empowerment, and confidence continue to shape lasting change. It’s time to say ‘yes’ to the scary and unfamiliar and grow confidently in and with community.
