By Jennifer Lopez, Arizona State University, Sociology. Jennifer is a Parents2Partners intern whose work and research focus on improving the school systems that serve students.
When my mentor assigned me to read a children’s book aloud and record myself, I thought the point was simple: when I talk about a subject, I should make it as engaging as a story for kids. It turned out to be a deep lesson in vulnerability.
Harder than it looks
I read the story silently first, then practiced holding the book in view of the camera. It was not effortless. The exercise was teaching me about voice control, pacing, clarity, body language, and connecting with an audience.
Letting go of perfect
Being the center of attention made me feel awkward and exposed, so I kept stopping and starting over. Each take improved, but I could not finish one without stopping midway. My mentor reminded me that the exercise was not about judging my performance. It was a stepping stone for growth. After that, I recorded the whole story without stopping to judge myself.
What the recording showed me
Watching the video, I saw how stiff I become when I am trying hard to express myself, and how I can lose expression when I focus. I had wanted to read the book exactly as written, but relaxing let me connect more freely with the camera.
My biggest takeaway: I only connected when I allowed myself to be vulnerable. That is when my personality, emotion, and authenticity came through, and those are the same qualities that build rapport in an interview.