Being the Youngest and Newest Person in the Room
How Being the Youngest Person in Your Career Can Become Your Greatest Asset for Growth and Success
Being the Youngest and Newest Person in the Room
When I joined my current organization, I had just turned 26 years old. I entered as a contract employee, transitioning from quality control chemistry into analytical chemistry, a field that was completely new to me. At the time, I was finishing my master's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology, which I would complete several months later.
From the beginning, I knew I had a lot to learn. I was the newest person on my team and, by a significant margin, one of the youngest. While my group was supportive and included several women, including another Black woman, many of my colleagues had years of analytical chemistry experience that I simply did not have. They were knowledgeable, confident, and comfortable navigating technical discussions that were completely unfamiliar to me.
At times, it was very intimidating. But looking back now, as a Senior Analytical Chemist, I have come to realize that being the youngest and newest person in the room became one of the greatest opportunities for growth in my career.
Starting Over in a New Field
One of the biggest challenges I faced was the transition itself. Coming from a quality control background, I understood laboratory work, regulatory requirements, and the importance of good manufacturing practices. However, method development, method validation, chromatographic optimization, and research-focused analytical chemistry were an entirely different world.
Many of my colleagues had spent years building expertise in these areas. Meanwhile, I was learning a new role, adapting to a new organization, and trying to absorb as much knowledge as I could. It would have been very easy to compare myself to those around me and become discouraged-and, let's be honest, at times I did.
However, I quickly learned to focus on progress rather than comparison. Every question I asked, every method I worked on, and every challenge I encountered was another opportunity to grow. Rather than worrying about what I didn't know, I concentrated on learning one thing at a time.
Finding the Confidence to Speak Up
If technical knowledge was my first challenge, confidence was my second. Don't get me wrong-I wouldn't say I lack confidence in every area of my life, but in this area, I did. Like many early-career professionals, I sometimes struggled to speak up during meetings. Sharing ideas in front of experienced scientists felt intimidating enough, but leading client calls was an entirely different challenge. I often questioned whether I was experienced enough to lead conversations and provide recommendations with confidence.
Over time, I realized something important: confidence doesn't come before experience. Confidence comes from experience. The more I prepared, contributed, and participated, the more comfortable I became. Eventually, the meetings I once dreaded became opportunities to communicate the value of my work and demonstrate the knowledge and experience I was gaining.
I learned that you don't have to know everything to add value to a conversation. Sometimes, asking thoughtful questions can be just as impactful as having the answer.
Leaning on Mentors and Support Systems
One thing that has remained consistent throughout my journey is the importance of mentorship and support. I attribute much of my success to the people who have poured into me along the way. God, my mentors, advisors, managers, colleagues, friends, and family members have all played a role in helping me navigate challenges and remain focused on my goals.
During my undergraduate studies, I had an advisor who discouraged me from pursuing my chosen career path and suggested that my goals were unrealistic. While that experience was difficult, it ultimately taught me one of the most valuable lessons of my life: surround yourself with people who genuinely believe in your potential.
The people in your corner matter. Having individuals who encourage you, challenge you, and remind you of your strengths can make all the difference when you're navigating uncertainty.
The Moment I Knew I Belonged
As young professionals, many of us spend our early careers trying to prove our worth and value-trying to prove that we belong. For me, one of the defining moments came when I was assigned my own project and trusted to execute the required parameters independently. It may have seemed like a routine assignment to others, but to me, it represented something much bigger.
It was validation that my hard work, persistence, and growth were being recognized. It was evidence that I was earning the trust of my team and becoming a contributor rather than simply a learner.
That project marked a turning point in my confidence. It reminded me that expertise is not built overnight. It is earned through continuously trying new things, being willing to get things wrong, and using those experiences as stepping stones for growth.
Something my mentor often says is, "You either win or you learn." Expertise is earned through consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace challenges. In analytical chemistry, method development rarely works perfectly the first time. Experiments fail. Methods require troubleshooting. Unexpected challenges emerge.
I've learned to approach my career in the same way. Rather than viewing obstacles as failures, I see them as opportunities to learn and improve.
The Advantage of Being New
When you're the newest employee, it is easy to focus on everything you lack: experience, knowledge, relationships, and familiarity with the processes within your field. What I eventually realized is that being new also comes with advantages.
New employees bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, and adaptability. We ask questions others may not think to ask. We challenge assumptions simply because we have not yet accepted them as routine.
The goal isn't to compete with the most experienced person in the room. The goal is to learn from them while contributing your own unique experiences and perspective.
A Message to Young Professionals
If you are the youngest in your group, remember that your years of experience do not define your value.
Be willing to learn. Be willing to fail. Ask questions. Build meaningful relationships. Seek mentors who support your growth. Remain authentic. Most importantly, do not allow someone else's doubts about your potential to become your own.
When I joined my organization at 26 years old, I could not have imagined the growth that would occur over the next few years. Today, I look back and realize that being the youngest and newest employee was never something I needed to overcome. It was simply the beginning of a journey that challenged me, strengthened me, and helped shape the professional I continue to become.
Success isn't about having the most experience in the room. It's about having the courage to keep learning, growing, and showing up even when you feel out of place.
Before long, you'll look around and realize you've become the person others are learning from.
Maya Brookins, M.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Senior Analytical Chemist
