Imposter Syndrome/Loss of a Parent

Name: Melissa Lucash
 
Field: Forest Modeling
 
Job/position: Research Faculty
 
How long have you been working in this field? 15 years
 
What kind of story would you like to share? Life struggle story

Please share your story here:
When I was in 3rd grade, they tested me for TAG (gifted) and I was labelled "borderline" TAG. With my parent's blessing, I enrolled in the program, knowing I was the "dumbest" kid in all my classes. I worked hard, graduated, and went on to get a MS in ecology, always aware that I was surrounded by people who were smarter than me. Then in the middle of my PhD, my mother committed suicide and my world collapsed. It didn't matter anymore that I wasn't the smartest girl anymore, I was just sad. But I kept going and even though I had a baby a few years later, I finished my PhD when my daughter was 9 months old. In the end, it was worth it to be surrounded by people who were smarter than me. They challenged me and taught me many things. I may not be the smartest woman in ecology, but I overcame sorrow and joy and I hope I made my mother proud.
 
What do you wish you had known earlier during your career in science?
Perseverance is more important than IQ.

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