This week, I planned to complete a run through of a lab during which I would find the
percentage of calcium carbonate in a select collection of zebra and quagga mussel shells. I used a
method of titration for this data collection; after setting up the lab in a space in Wall, I found that
my high school chemistry experience had faded and, in short, I had no idea what I was doing. I
decided to put a hold on the lab as to regroup with my academic advisor. After reviewing the
processes making the needed solutions for titration, I decided to postpone the lab work until the
week after spring break.
I am a bit disappointed, but I need to remember that I cannot do everything. I am an entrepreneur
first and a scientist second — if at all. As a woman with great ambition, I tend to get myself into
such situations where I feel overwhelmed and have to reach out to others for help — through
these bumpy experiences not only do I persist and persevere, but I also form strong relationships
along way.
Such an experience occurred this weekend at the Davidson Black Alumni Network (DBAN)
Reunion. This event occurred on February 16th and 17th during which I met many supportive
Black Davidson Alumni. During a Davidson Innovation and Entrepreneurship panel, I was able
to pitch my Z Spools endeavor to an audience of like minded alumni — the accompanying visual
of which is shown below.
After my aforementioned failure of the past week, it was an invigorating experience; I received
great words of encouragement. Sometimes, I find that I am so busy with work that I do not
realize the extent of my accomplishments. It was great to momentarily experience this sense of
pride, a feeling that helped me look to the future. Let’s not dwell on a short falls of last week;
instead, let’s think “what’s next, what else do we need to accomplish to reach our goals?”
Well, here are a couple of things, after making connections with a materials scientist and patent
lawyer at the DBAN reunion, I look to run my patent drafts and methods of extrusion by these
professionals. This is something to look forward to in the upcoming week as I head towards the
mid-point of this semester.
