Dental technician Nina Frketin looks back on the lessons she has learned over the years in a letter to her younger self.
Hey, you. Long time no speak!
Recently we have been so overwhelmed by all the projects we took on (yes, we still have trouble saying ‘no’) that we’ve started to slip back into our old habit of not giving ourselves the recognition for all the amazing things that we have achieved. Instead, we’re only thinking of all the things we still have to do.
Well, rather than concentrating on the bad, let’s use this time to talk about all the positives that have happened in the years between ‘you’ and ‘I’.
Becoming a superhero
We were sad when mum and dad weren’t happy for us to go to the fine art academy in Venice. The good news is that we fell in love with dental technology and, to this day, we are putting our passion and soul into restoring smiles. We are a bit of a superhero, you know? Through the years, we have given back thousands of smiles. How cool is that?
We loved ceramics when we left school, but we have now found our feet in prosthetics and full arches. Just a little bit of a change, don’t you think?
School didn’t prepare us for real life, unfortunately. We were a bit naive entering the profession. We worked hard, most of the time pulling 10 to 12 hour shifts and people used our passion against us.
One thing that I would love for you to know sooner is that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask to be rewarded for your value! Work hard, learn, listen, become a valuable member of the team, and be proud of what you are achieving. But, please, don’t expect to achieve greatness if what you offer is the bare minimum.
This industry, like many, doesn’t work like that – and the reward you receive comes as a result of the effort you give.
Mistakes are part of the journey
It won’t always be easy. Along the way, we had bad mentors who didn’t want to teach us and they made us feel unworthy. But because of them, we found our voice and, yes, we learned how to stand up for ourselves! The good news is it won’t always be like this – we will also find some amazing mentors that will be patient and support us, like Rob and Paul.
Let’s face it, sometimes it is a struggle to learn new techniques and we will make our fair share of mistakes. But these people, instead of making us feel small, will help us to use these situations as learning opportunities. They won’t belittle us – instead, they will teach us that mistakes are part of the journey, that they happen and that the way you rectify them is what is important.
Along the way, unfortunately, you will find that you will receive inappropriate and unwanted attention or comments. Your first instinct will always be to ignore them or brush them off, but do not be disheartened or let them get to you. These comments usually come from a place of jealousy or insecurity, and luckily, you found your confidence early enough so you could call out these people, taking away any power they thought they had over you.
People can, and will, say what they want, but so can you. And we were always taught better than to let anyone walk all over us.
Giving women a voice
You remember how we wished for guidance when we were starting? Well, today the internet provides us with social media platforms where technicians share their knowledge freely! Yes! No more gatekeeping! (At least some of them). All the knowledge you want is available in the palm of your hand, and just a message away. How cool is that?
We also started our page, Nightshift, to support females in the industry and give them a safe space where they can share their knowledge, achievements, and ideas. I can tell you that this is one of the proudest moments in our career. We stopped wishing and we took action. Not bad for a girl from a village in the middle of nowhere in Croatia, right?
We have also become a speaker, a key opinion leader (KOL), a published author, an educator, and a mentor to amazing techs that will become your best friends, like Deepa and Jenelle. We will also run courses with Anaxdent, and do some amazing stuff with other companies.
Strength to grow
We will also find a lab that hears our voice and believes in us and our capabilities. I can’t tell you how important that is! You will feel respected, and that will give you strength to grow and do all the amazing things you are meant to. Your bosses, Phil and Steve, will have your back and, yes, there will be some heated discussions along the way, but don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in: the right people will always understand you and work with you.
You will meet amazing friends along the way and build a strong community. You will also find love, support, and a home away from home in England. Your anxiety will still be there trying to distract you from your goals and making you believe you are not worthy of all the achievements you are going to accomplish.
Some days, you will believe in it and you will feel like a fraud, but most days, the amazing community that you are going to build around you will pick you up and shut those voices down.
Keep going, fight, and be the voice that you wished represented you when you were growing up. I am so proud of us. ‘Be you later’, Nina.
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