William Tantribeau is a second-year PharmD candidate at the University of California Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.
You know the stereotype: Student pharmacists are shy “book nerds” who are really smart but can’t speak up for themselves. What if I told you that there was a time that I fit that stereotype, but a mere switch in my mindset not only transformed my confidence, but also my academic career and job prospects, enabling me to even have the ability to command a room?
Let me paint you a picture. Imagine a skinny guy with glasses who stood with his hands in his pockets, toes pointed like the two top sides of a triangle, with hesitation in every word he spoke. Yeah, that was me. Want to hear something wild? Just a few weeks ago, I was the emcee of a banquet of about 200 pharmacists and students for my local pharmacists association, with many personally complimenting me for my performance.
So, how did I do it?
The belief you can accomplish something
Before I was afraid of what people would think of me when I would attract attention. I thought of myself as “just introverted.” If you feel the same way, here’s the honest, no-nonsense truth: Being introverted doesn’t justify feeling unconfident. There’s a misconception among peers that introversion equates to weakness and an inability to thrive in professional or social settings. This is simply untrue.
Introverted just signifies that one has a “social battery” that needs to be “recharged” in a different way than that of extroverts. The true issue with a tough time in social settings has nothing to do with being “introverted” or “extroverted” but everything to do with confidence.
So what is confidence? To be confident, contrary to popular opinion, is not another way of saying prideful or outgoing. Rather, it is merely the belief and trust that one can accomplish something.
There’s nothing you cannot overcome
Here’s a thought experiment. Let’s say you give the most outgoing person in a room a task that they have never tried (like giving juggling balls to a motivational speaker who has never juggled). Will they still be confident? Of course not. Let’s say you give the shyest person in the room a task they do all the time (like asking a student pharmacist to tell you what the most common brand name of acetaminophen is). Suddenly, the motivational speaker will seem “unconfident,” and the student pharmacist will seem very confident. Thus, confidence is not “an innate trait,” but rather something that grows through practice and experience. Everyone has confidence in something, and pharmacy students can extend that same self-assurance to professional opportunities and social interactions.
How? First, by reshaping your mindset. Move away from “I’m just shy” and realize “I am capable and growing.” Remember that confidence is not innate, it’s developed. Second, take things step-by-step. Start simple like complimenting someone’s outfit. Then, speak in a public forum like answering questions in class. With this, you’ll be advocating for patients without hesitation or even speaking to a crowd.
Because as a pharmacist, there is nothing you cannot overcome. I am confident in that.