Breathe in, Breathe Out

Last week, we focused mostly on putting into practice the interview skills that we have been practicing. I finally attended the long-awaited Business Symposium and it was a new experience for me. I was scheduled for three interviews with professionals in various fields, which, in itself, was something I had never done before.

I was already dressed and waiting ten minuted before the Symposium began. While that may sound like a positive factor because I was prepared, those ten minutes of inactivity only caused me to overthink. I started to consider everything that could go wrong, every mistake that I could make. What if I forget an answer? What if they ask me a question I haven't prepared for? What if, what if, what if.

My heart felt like it was hammering in my throat for at least five minutes before I realized that I had to calm down. Second-guessing myself at this point wasn't going to improve my performance. So, I took a deep breath and re-considered a few things:

1. What's the worst that could happen? Business Symposium is a practice run, so messing up here is better than messing up in the real world

2. Did you prepare enough? Yes, you practiced and prepared for three days. You did your due diligence.

Ultimately, Business Symposium was a success. I learned so much from the people I spoke with and they all had valuable feedback. But most importantly, I gained a little more confidence in myself. It showed me that I should have faith in my communication skills which has made me less nervous about contacting potential mentors this week.