Diem asked Deborah Villarroel-Lamb, The University of the West Indies AddedThursday, February 27, 2020 at 6:16 PM Will being shy affect my career? I'm a very shy foreign engineering student. I feel awkward most of every time at work and at school's meeting. How will it affect my future career and how can I overcome that? Thank you. Related to Civil, Self Doubt, Working with People Reset Sort By Default Deborah Villarroel-Lamb , The University of the West Indies Answered Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 3:45 PM Hello Diem, thanks for your question and I do hope that my answer will be useful to you. I have presented at international conferences and given lectures to large crowds and I still feel awkward around people at times. I consider myself to be shy, so being shy in itself is not a major hindrance, but it is how you choose to respond when you are in these awkward situations. I prepare myself mentally beforehand, constantly remind myself to be confident and to accept that maybe some people may not be happy with my opinion, but that does not make it invalid. And when I have the opportunity, I take the chance to speak up. After a while, the conversations become easier. I hope you take the chance to say something, because I am sure you have great ideas. Kind Regards