{credit}Bill Everding{/credit}

Marta Wegorzewska recently received her PhD in Immunology from the University of California, San Francisco. She is passionate about science communication and educates women about pregnancy on her blog, StorkPhD. She is originally from New York City and enjoys running half marathons and spending weekends exploring the outdoors with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 

A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?

The Penguin of Reason

I rub my bloodshot eye as I sip the coffee that fuels my addiction. The sun rises as I read through my thesis for final edits. Suddenly, a penguin walks through the door of my room wearing a sombrero. He says, “Marta, pack your bags. You are going to Boston.” In my sleep-deprived stupor, I obey his order.

The penguin traveled to San Francisco to inform me that I am one of the five budding science communicators chosen to be a journalist for the Naturejobs Career Expo. I am going to Boston to be a journalist. I wanted to scream it for everyone to hear. I grab my freshly pressed suit and MacBook Air, and I follow the penguin out the door of my apartment for Boston.

As the cab makes its way to the airport, a moment of silence invites feelings of self-doubt. The reality of my task in Boston starts to settle in. Suddenly, my excitement is overcome by a fear of failure. What if I don’t meet expectations? What will people think when they find out I am a scientist and not a journalist? Am I capable of doing this? Continue reading →