postr/StutterJune 21, 2022

just got my dream job despite my stutter

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just got my dream job despite my stutter I've had a stutter ever since kindergarten. Even so, I am set to finish my PhD in biomedical engineering in approximately 2 months. It has been one hell of a ride.. stuttering through most of my presentations no matter how hard I practiced beforehand and not being able to introduce myself hasn't made it easy.. However, I just scored an optical engineering job, starting at $120k/yr in a low cost of living city, set to begin the week after my defense. Even threw in a $20k starting bonus and it is in exactly the line of work I have wanted to get into since starting my undergrad. I even had two other offers. I'm not posting this to brag. I just wanted to share that, at the beginning of every interview I had, I told them about my stutter. At the beginning of the first interview round for the job I just accepted, I was so nervous I completely blanked on how to answer "... so tell us about your relevant experience?". It was 10 minutes of stuttering hell. Still, in the end it didn't make a difference, because they could still recognize my competency despite the blocking. If you work hard enough for what you want, you can achieve far more than you currently think is possible. It is critical to get out of your comfort zone and find your strengths. For me it is research, writing and leading biophotonics experiments. I guess what I'm trying to say is, let go of "what if I can't do it with this stutter?" Once I did that, I slowly started to believe in myself for a change.

Themes

School & WorkEmotional ExperienceIdentity & DisabilityCoping & Advocacy

Subthemes

Employment & CareerHope & MotivationIdentity & Self-PerceptionMindset shift