“You are not defined by the institution you belong to; the institution is defined by the people who make it.”
Twelve years ago, my dad gave me this advice when I was caught up in college rankings. He wanted me to realize that an institution’s reputation is just the collective impact of its people.
Years later, now working in a prominent research lab, his perspective continues to guide me. A world-renowned label means very little on its own; a lab is only as good as the work we put into it every single day. His words remind me that I don’t need to feel out of place, but rather focus my energy on trying to make every space better than I found it when I leave.
Ekaurbook 