I am unsure why I was so nervous and experiencing anxiety as well as Imposter Syndrome before yesterday’s 2026 NASW CA Conference. I was prepared. I know my subject matter. I have public speaking skills. I can even sing in front of a crowd of people without getting nervous! Perhaps it is because this was truly my first time presenting to a group of colleagues who didn't know me, and I feared how they would perceive me, my knowledge, and my research.

I am SO incredibly nervous about tomorrow. I have given training sessions and taught classes, but I have never presented on such an important topic to a room filled with my social work colleagues. Tomorrow, I will present my capstone research to colleagues from the National Association of Social Workers for my Doctor of Social Work degree.