I am a student getting a degree in speech-language pathology. I
sometimes feel like a fraud; like I shouldn't be in a people-oriented
field because of my difficulty relating to others. Most of the other
students in this field are outgoing, friendly types. I am shy and
slower to warm up to people. I smile and try to make my clients
comfortable, but when I first meet someone, I'm self-conscious and
nervous, and not a particularly "warm" person. I'm sure I must come
across a little stiff and uncomfortable. I am not very good at small
talk. However, I am insightful, sensitive, understanding, and
caring, and want to work with people. I can intellectually tell
myself that my strengths will be beneficial in this field, despite my
weaknesses, but I have trouble feeling it. People ask, "Do you like
it?" (the field) I say yes, but I have not truly enjoyed most of
what I've done because in each situation I'm new at what I'm doing,
and am being critiqued by new supervisors each time. When I'm out
working, I won't be watched and critiqued constantly, I'll know what
I'm doing (after the first couple months), and will become fairly
comfortable with my co-workers. Then the only "stressor" will be the
new clients (and I think this "stress" is also positive -- in
addition to shyness, it's excitement at connecting with others).

Does anyone else relate to my feelings?

Plagued with self-doubt,
Doubting Deb