Google chief Sundar Pichai retweeted the post and dished out a compliment.
On November 21, Nance tweeted how four years ago she scored zero in her quantum physics exam. Following which, she wanted to “quit physics” and change her major.
The next few lines reveal, instead of quitting she carried on and her hard work eventually paid off. Now, she is “in a top tier astrophysics Ph.D program” and has published two papers.
Finally, the tweet ends with a motivational advice which has struck chords with many. Here’s what she tweeted:
Sarafina Nance@starstrickenSF4 years ago I got a 0 on a quantum physics exam. i met with my professor fearing i needed to change my major & quit physics. today, i’m in a top tier astrophysics Ph.D program & published 2 papers.
STEM is hard for everyone—grades don’t mean you’re not good enough to do it.
Since being shared just a day back, the tweet has piqued people’s interests. It’s clear from over 57,000 likes and close to 10,000 retweets the post has garnered till now – and the numbers are increasing.
While some were motivated, others applauded the woman for her persistence. In short, it impressed many – including Google chief Sundar Pichai.
In just five words he expressed his reaction on this inspiring post. To which, the women also replied. Here’s the interaction between the two:
Sundar Pichai✔@sundarpichai
Well said and so inspiring! https://twitter.com/starstrickenSF/status/1197278309043671041 …
Sarafina Nance@starstrickenSF4 years ago I got a 0 on a quantum physics exam. i met with my professor fearing i needed to change my major & quit physics. today, i’m in a top tier astrophysics Ph.D program & published 2 papers.STEM is hard for everyone—grades don’t mean you’re not good enough to do it
Sarafina Nance@starstrickenSF\ank you so much!!! this means the world!!
Besides being amazed, a few tweeple also shared their own motivational stories:
Maryam Zaringhalam, PhD✔@webmz_
The fact that you got a 0 and didn’t quit means so so so much more for being a scientist than if you got a 100!
Johanna@JoJoBirdHomeI read your tweet to my high school daughter tonight. Thank you so much for this!
Natalie Deuitch@nataliedeuitchSo true! I bombed a class in undergrad and the prof told me not everyone had “the brain for science.” 4 years later I have a science degree from Stanford, double-digit publications (in not shabby journals) and love my job making science more accessible and understandable 🙂
SHYAM BABU SHARMA@shyambabusharm3
Later, while replying to her own tweet, Sarafina Nance thanked everyone for commenting on her post:
Sarafina Nance@starstrickenSFi am so inspired by everyone sharing their own stories. y’all are absolutely incredible— thank you for sharing your journeys
What do you think of Sarafina Nance’s tweet and Sundar Pichai’s reaction?
Prasanta Patnaik