Walking into my research lab for the first time was daunting to say the least. In a new environment, especially one with lots of expensive and complicated equipment, it is easy for the doubting thoughts to creep in. What if I have no idea what I am doing? What if I ask too many stupid questions? What if I am simply not good enough? In this way, I identify closely with Pam. At the beginning of the show, Pam lacks confidence. She is not sure if she wants to move forward with a career in the arts, has difficulty standing up to Roy, and, overall, has trouble being assertive with others in the office. However, we see Pam develop into a strong and motivated character throughout the series. I would say that the first real instance of this is the famous "beach scene," when Pam calls out her coworkers for not going to her art show and voices her feelings about her friendship with Jim. Later in the series, we see her confidence grow even further, going so far as to quit her job in pursuit of the opportunity to be a saleswoman. Pam's character growth very much resembles my journey in research. Just like Pam, I lacked belief in myself and my skills. However, as time went on and I gained more experience, I began to realize that I was there for a reason. I successfully completed tasks, learned a number of new techniques, and even had the opportunity to give others advice. I learned that making mistakes is not equivalent to failure, as the journey of growth is not always linear. In addition, "The Office" taught me that workplaces can blur the lines between coworker and friend. Workplace dynamics can be complicated, but, in the end, we are all just people getting through the day. I work as an Academic Coach, and I cherish the deep conversations I have had with my coworkers about our struggles and our joys. Michael Scott said it best: "People will never be replaced by machines. In the end, life and business are about human connections." It is inevitable, with as much time that we spend working, that we make connections with people we may never have interacted with outside of the office. "The Office" is beautiful in its simplicity. It took a moderately-sized, mundane paper business and created an incredible show, just by focusing on the lives of the people within in. It truly made me think about workplace dynamics so much differently. Work is not just about the work itself; it is always about people.