My First Panel Experience Unfiltered: The Nerves, The Insights & Everything In Between

Stepping onto a panel for the first time is an experience I won’t forget. It was a mix of nerves, excitement, and that little voice in my head reminding me that I belonged there. I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at how it felt, what I spoke about, and some key takeaways from the event.

The Build-Up: Nerves, Excitement, and Prep

In the days leading up to the event, I felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was excited to share my insights and engage in meaningful discussions. On the other hand, I had the usual pre-panel jitters. Would the audience relate to anything I had to say?

To prepare, I reflected on my personal experiences and jotted down key points I wanted to touch on. I also had a few practice runs and made voice recordings to practice speaking out loud to get comfortable with my thoughts. Sending them to my best friend in Canada to listen to and get her feedback on was part of the process that made it so much more meaningful. But let’s be real, nothing fully prepares you for the moment you’re actually on stage!

On Stage: Finding My Voice

As I sat on the panel, I could feel the adrenaline kick in. The audience, the moderator’s first introduction of who I was, it all became real very quickly. Once I started speaking, though, the nerves faded, and I found my rhythm.

I spoke about sharing my journey, challenges I’ve faced, and lessons I’ve learned along the way. One of my favorite moments was when I had the audience give themselves a round of applause for taking up space and having the courage to put themselves out there and attend the event. Seeing heads nodding and people taking notes reminded me why I was there in the first place, to share and connect.

Key Takeaways

• You know more than you think – Imposter syndrome is real, but once you start speaking, you realize you have valuable insights to offer.
• Engagement is everything – Making eye contact with the audience and feeding off their energy makes the experience even more rewarding.
• BTS moments make the best memories – From last-minute prep chats to laughter with fellow panelists, the little moments behind the scenes made the event even more special.

A reflective moment: As I sat on the panel, engaged in the discussion, there was an added layer to my experience as I was fasting for Ramadan. It was a unique challenge, balancing professional engagement while managing my energy levels throughout the day. As the sun set, I quietly broke my fast during the panel, a moment that felt both personal and significant. It was a reminder of the balance between personal commitments and professional aspirations and how spaces like these can accommodate diverse experiences.

Final Thoughts

After I spoke, I was blown away by the response. One of the experienced and highly accomplished businesswomen on the panel, someone I truly admire, told me that I have an amazing tone when presenting and that my speech was wonderful. Hearing that from someone so established in the industry was both humbling and encouraging. Even more surreal was seeing students and future entrepreneurs line up to ask me questions about starting a business, e-commerce, and social media marketing. I had the chance to hand out my business cards, connect with so many eager and ambitious people, and be part of conversations that reminded me why I love what I do.

What made this experience even more special was that it took place at the University of Leicester, the place where I studied law. Standing there, not as a student, but as a speaker sharing my journey in business to the School of Business, felt like a full-circle moment. It was surreal to return in a different capacity, to be on the other side of the table, giving insights to aspiring entrepreneurs and future professionals.

Walking off the panel, I felt a sense of accomplishment. My first panel event taught me a lot, and I can’t wait for more opportunities like this. If you’re thinking of stepping onto a panel for the first time, my advice is simple: go for it! You have something worth sharing.

Have you ever spoken at an event? Or is it something on your bucket list? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Fashion Recap

Of course, I couldn’t finish this recap without a little fashion moment. For the panel, I wore my current favourite Soft Glamour Pearl earrings for a sophisticated touch, paired with my Golden Layers necklace, Empress hand chain, and a trendy stack of the bracelets from Armour Femme for a fun moment, because what better way to show up as an entrepreneur than by representing my own brand? It was the perfect finishing touch to a night full of inspiration, connections, and full-circle moments.

Thanks so much for being here along this journey with me. 

With love and gratitude, 

Farhana K.