By: Fiona Kelly
Fine. Five years is enough time for me to heal before I share one of the most
embarrassing moments of my undergrad. I was an uninvolved sophomore seeking out
opportunities. That's when I stumbled upon PRSSA, and with a new executive team on
the horizon, I decided to throw my hat into the ring for the director of public relations
position.
Excited and perhaps a tad naïve, I dove headfirst into the campaign process. I was a
girl with a headshot and a dream. With an Instagram story announcing my candidacy, I
felt like I was on the brink of a political revolution.
However, when the day arrived for us to present our pitches to the organization, my
confidence was met with a cold dose of reality. As I looked around the room, I realized
that my competitors had come with meticulously crafted speeches outlining their plans
and ambitions. Panic set in. Had I seriously underestimated the gravity of this moment?
Standing before the group, I attempted to lighten the mood with a joke, only to be met
with awkward silence. From there, it was a downward spiral. My mind went blank, my
words faltered and I was grasping at straws to salvage the situation. The previous
director's expression of second-hand embarrassment is engraved into my memory.
Unsurprisingly, I didn't get the position. The humiliation was so profound that I couldn't
bring myself to attend another meeting. That experience gave me a crippling fear of
speaking in front of an audience.
In the years since that fateful day, I've developed a preparation routine to ensure I’m
never in such a vulnerable position again. I script every word of my presentations,
rehearse in front of the mirror (yes, really) many times over until it starts to sound
natural and then I rehearse in front of a close friend to seal the deal.
It's been a journey marked by setbacks and self-discovery, but through it all, I've learned
the invaluable lesson that failure is not the end—it's an opportunity for growth. By facing
my fears head-on and turning my weaknesses into strengths, I've emerged stronger,
more resilient and better equipped to tackle any challenge that comes my way.
So, to anyone who's ever faced failure or humiliation, I offer this advice: don't let it
define you. Instead, let it propel you forward. Embrace the lessons it offers, grow from
the experience and never be afraid to try again. Your future self will thank you and
admire your strength.
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