[evrydayhustling]

During my PhD work I often accompanied my advisor in presenting her lab's research (not only or even mainly mine) to interested companies and governments. She was an incredibly accomplished, tenured faculty member who had pulled together a massive research team (and budget) at a top research University. I was a 22 year old white guy with a BS. But many many times, I found government and industry types addressing comments, questions, and even follow-up requests almost exclusively to me.

I tried to imagine what it was like to tough out that culture back when she was a grad student or junior faculty, long before this was a even a major topic of discussion. I wussed out of the grind I would have faced as a junior faculty, even sporting all the right aesthetics. To those who have stuck it out against major challenges: you are tough as nails, you are improving the system, and it is noticed by and impacts more people than you think.