Too Shy to Talk to a Stranger? Read This First. (We Promise It Gets Easier)

Let’s be real for a second. Walking into a room full of adults you don’t know is scary.

Does the idea of walking up to a "Mentor" make your palms sweat? Does your heart beat a little faster when you think about introducing yourself? Do you feel like you might freeze up and forget your own name?

If you answered "yes," we have good news: You are completely normal.

In fact, almost every successful person you see at the Queens Tech Fair has felt exactly the same way. Even the loudest, most confident speakers on our panels have had moments where they were terrified to speak up. Shyness isn’t a weakness; it just means you care about making a good impression.

But we don’t want fear to stop you from meeting someone amazing today. Here is your guide to hacking your confidence and finding your voice, even if you’re feeling shy.

1. The Secret Weapon: The "Buddy System"

Who says mentorship has to be a solo mission? It doesn’t!

If talking to a mentor one-on-one feels too intense, we totally recommend bringing backup. You are welcome—and encouraged—to join a mentorship session with a teammate.

• Bring your Best Friend: There is strength in numbers. If you freeze up, your friend can jump in. If they get stuck, you can help them out. You can approach a mentor together and say, "Hi, we’re interested in coding, can we talk to you?"

• Bring a Family Member: Your parents, older siblings, or guardians are your original team. If having your mom or dad sit next to you makes you feel safer, bring them along! They can help break the ice and help you remember the cool questions you wanted to ask.

Mentorship is a conversation, not a test. If having a familiar face nearby helps you relax, then that is exactly what you should do.

2. Virtual Mentorship: Connect from Your Comfort Zone

Sometimes, face-to-face is just too much pressure for day one. We get it. That is why we are keeping the magic going all month long.

We are opening our mentorship app, app.we-rule.com, for the entire month of February.

This means you can book a session with a mentor virtually. You can chat from your own bedroom, sitting on your own couch, wearing your favorite hoodie. Sometimes, being in your own space makes it 10x easier to open up. You can prepare your questions beforehand, have your notes ready, and connect when you feel ready.

3. Meet Your Chief Cheerleaders

If you are wandering around the fair feeling lost, or if you log into the app and don’t know who to click on, look for us. We are the team behind the scenes, and we are your biggest fans.

• Camille Jalandoni

• William Campbell

• Justyna Kedra

You can find us on the app (app.we-rule.com), or find us at the fair. We are here specifically to support you. If you are too shy to approach a mentor, approach us first! Come tell us, "I want to talk to someone but I’m nervous."

We will walk with you. We will introduce you. We will stand there and smile until you feel comfortable. We have your back.

4. A Note on "No Judgment"

We want you to know something important about the mentors here: They are not looking for perfection.

They are not judging how you dress, how you speak, or whether your voice shakes a little bit. They are here to practice "Soulful Mentorship." That means they care about your heart and your potential.

We have all faced moments where we wanted to hide. We have all felt "imposter syndrome." The mentors remember what it was like to be your age. They aren't expecting you to be a CEO today; they just want to say hello.

The Bottom Line Take a deep breath. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be heard. Grab a friend, grab a parent, or come find Camille, William, or Justyna.

We can’t wait to meet you.