By Jaclyn West
As
a graduate student one’s first impulse, and indeed impression, is to be
independent and find ways of getting things done that don’t involve other
people to the extent that it’s possible, but I’ve been learning that in
graduate school, as well as life, you need to ask for help. In fact that was
one of the first pieces of advice impressed upon us from the first day we stepped
in the door from some very wise graduate students who had been down this road
before us. Know when you need help and ask for it. This creates an atmosphere
that not only promotes collaboration and shared knowledge but mimics the
business world as it exists today as well as what it will continue to become in
the future. Asking for help is both humbling and empowering. If we can learn to
do it correctly, everyone can benefit. An important lesson to learn as early as
possible is that isolation is not how we as people were designed to function
and although it may be scary, intimidating, or even seem futile at times, you
never know how much asking for help can potentially lead to a phenomenal
outcome and maybe even some new friends. So as one who is
trying to put this lesson into practice, I must learn to acknowledge that I
can’t do everything myself and begin to leverage others’ considerable strengths,
should they be willing to lend them, because the people around you have some
pretty amazing things to offer. Just step outside yourself and see!
