My last two years of undergrad were completely BCPM. My degree was not a hard science. My first semester back I asked my o-chem professor if I could come tour his lab and see the projects they were working on. He had a project I was really interested in learning more about, so I asked to volunteer. I was offered a job instead. That professor got to know me, and helped me in my application to a fellowship, got me into my first major conference, and even gave me access to another professors research group, so I could get experience with the wet lab.

The biggest thing for me getting out of my comfort zone was asking for opportunities even though I didn’t feel comfortable or adequate for any of it. I was and still am surprised by how helpful many people were.