Belong Quote by Hope Jahren
“One thing that was very important to me was that I felt comfortable in the lab from being very, very small. I knew that that's where I belonged, and I could fix things and move things. And no matter how many classrooms I went into where I was the only girl in the physics class or whatever, I never questioned the fact that I didn't belong there.”
About This Quote
The speaker reflects on feeling at home in a small, hands‑on lab environment despite being a minority in larger academic settings, emphasizing confidence in personal fit over external validation.
In simple terms: Confidence in one's niche despite minority status.
Key Takeaway
Belonging is self‑determined, not imposed by numbers.
Themes
identity
confidence
gender dynamics
STEM
self‑efficacy
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
personal anecdote
inspirational
When to use this quote
- first lab work
- being the only woman in a physics class
- navigating male‑dominated classrooms
Key Concepts
lab culture
minority experience
personal agency
Practical Applications
- Mentoring women in STEM
- Designing inclusive lab environments
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal confidence shape one's sense of belonging?
- What structures can support minorities feeling valued in larger settings?
