Where Uncertainty Became Something To Trust
An interview with Pei Ying, a curious intern that came through our doors
Pei Ying 2nd from left of picture
1. What first brought you through the doors? What were you looking for at that point in your life?
A mix of friendship, curiosity, and wanting to spend my time on something purposeful.
Bold At Work was a space where people were exploring what work and impact could look like, and I wanted to contribute where I could. I was in my early 20s and wasn’t sure if I had much experience to offer, but Bold made it feel okay to start before feeling fully ready, a common theme throughout my time there.
2. What actually happened when you were here? Share one specific moment, conversation, or experience that stayed with you.
Looking back, there wasn’t one defining moment, but many ‘don’t overthink it, just try’ type experiences like setting up community blind libraries to get people curious, creating board games to help others uncover what’s important to them, starting dressmaking classes sparked through conversations. These unknowingly shaped my perspective on community, action and impact.
3. What did you take with you after leaving? What changed in how you approach your work or life?
One of the biggest things I took away was becoming more comfortable with uncertainty.
At that point, I was really grappling with big questions around what to do after formal education and whether there was a “right” path. Bold provided tools that helped me navigate my sense of self (e.g. uncovering values and not sure why but I distinctly remember this strengths-based coaching) which lent me confidence that regardless of what future work looked like, I would be able to figure it out.
4.Where are you now, and how is that connected (if at all)?
While work and life looks a little different now, I’m still figuring things out, but with each step in a life I’m continuing to shape, I move with a little more trust than before. Looking back, I think that traces to the seeds Bold planted way back then.|
5. If the space did not exist, what would have been different?
I think BOLD@319 showed me early on that work, careers and passions can take many different forms. It was both an eye-opening and grounding place to spend some of my formative years, and it broadened my perspective on what a meaningful life and career could look like.
