Standing Out and Stepping In: My Day Working the Provincial Elections
About the role
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There are moments in life that may seem small from the outside, but they end up shaping something meaningful within us. For me, one of those moments happened just six months after I moved to Canada.
I saw a posting that the provincial elections were hiring poll officials. I didn’t know anyone who had worked in elections before. I didn’t totally understand the procedures. And honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I fit into something like that yet. I was still learning how to navigate a new country, new systems, new people.
But something inside me said: try.
So I applied. And I got selected.
On the day of the election, I walked into the polling station and immediately felt the difference, I was the youngest person there. Not just by a small gap, but noticeably. I was also the only Indian person in the room. The others were older, familiar with each other, and had lived here for years. Meanwhile, I had been here for only half a year.
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I could feel eyes on me, not judging, but curious.
Curious About Who I Was.
Curious about how someone so new to the country found her way here.
And in that moment, I had two choices: shrink myself, or step into the space I had earned.
I chose to step in.
Learning by Listening
Everything was new: the forms, the flow, the procedures, the language used. I listened closely, asked questions, observed carefully, and took everything one step at a time.
I Realized Something Important That Day
Confidence isn’t always about knowing everything.
Sometimes, confidence is simply the willingness to learn without fear.
As the day went on, voters came in, different ages, different backgrounds, different stories, and I felt myself becoming part of something meaningful. Elections are not just about ballots. They’re about voices. About belonging. About being heard.
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And I was playing a role in that, even in my small way.
Curiosity Goes Both Ways
One of the most surprising and heartwarming parts of that day was how curious everyone was about me.
They Asked Me
“How does voting work in your home country?”
“What is the process like in India?”
“How do elections feel there, is it similar or very different?”
We exchanged stories, perspectives, and laughter.
I didn’t feel like the outsider anymore.
I felt like the bridge, someone connecting experiences across cultures.
And in those conversations, I realized that being different is not a disadvantage, it’s an asset. It brings perspective. It invites curiosity. It creates understanding.
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Belonging Comes From Participation
Toward the end of the day, one of the senior officials smiled and said to me:
“You did great today. It’s really good to see someone young and new to Canada taking part in something like this.”
Those words stayed with me.
At the end of the shift, several people appreciated my work. They thanked me. They encouraged me. Some even told me I should consider coming back in future elections.
And for the first time since arriving in Canada, I didn’t just feel like I lived here.
I felt like I belonged here.
Being “the Only One” Is Powerful
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Yes, I was the youngest.
Yes, I was the only Indian.
Yes, I was new.
But that didn’t limit me.
It expanded me.
Standing Out Helped Me Understand That
You don’t need to look like everyone to contribute. You don’t need years of experience to have purpose. You don’t need to feel ready to show up.
Belonging isn’t given, it’s built.
Sometimes simply by choosing to be present.
A Small Day. A Big Lesson.
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Working in the provincial elections was just one day. But it taught me something I will carry for years:
Courage doesn’t announce itself.
Sometimes, it’s a quiet decision to try.
The beginning of every new chapter can feel uncomfortable, but beyond that discomfort is growth, confidence, and identity.
Because every beginning has a beyond.
If there’s something you’ve been hesitating to try, something new, unfamiliar, or uncertain:
Say yes anyway.
You don’t have to be fully ready to start.
You just have to be willing.
Your courage will meet you there.
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to hear yours.
Share a moment when you stepped into something new, even when it felt unfamiliar.
Share This
Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
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About Beginnings & Beyond
Beginnings and Beyond is a growth and mindset brand that empowers students and young professionals to find confidence through life’s transitions.
From starting a new job to adjusting to a new country, we help you navigate uncertainty with curiosity and courage.
Through honest stories, coaching insights, and relatable experiences, Beginnings and Beyond inspires individuals to see every beginning as an opportunity to grow, and go beyond.
Because confidence doesn’t come from knowing it all, it comes from believing you’ll figure it out along the way.
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Standing Out and Stepping In: My Day Working the Provincial Elections
About the role
Advertisement
There are moments in life that may seem small from the outside, but they end up shaping something meaningful within us. For me, one of those moments happened just six months after I moved to Canada.
I saw a posting that the provincial elections were hiring poll officials. I didn’t know anyone who had worked in elections before. I didn’t totally understand the procedures. And honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I fit into something like that yet. I was still learning how to navigate a new country, new systems, new people.
But something inside me said: try.
So I applied. And I got selected.
On the day of the election, I walked into the polling station and immediately felt the difference, I was the youngest person there. Not just by a small gap, but noticeably. I was also the only Indian person in the room. The others were older, familiar with each other, and had lived here for years. Meanwhile, I had been here for only half a year.
Advertisement
I could feel eyes on me, not judging, but curious.
Curious About Who I Was.
Curious about how someone so new to the country found her way here.
And in that moment, I had two choices: shrink myself, or step into the space I had earned.
I chose to step in.
Learning by Listening
Everything was new: the forms, the flow, the procedures, the language used. I listened closely, asked questions, observed carefully, and took everything one step at a time.
I Realized Something Important That Day
Confidence isn’t always about knowing everything.
Sometimes, confidence is simply the willingness to learn without fear.
As the day went on, voters came in, different ages, different backgrounds, different stories, and I felt myself becoming part of something meaningful. Elections are not just about ballots. They’re about voices. About belonging. About being heard.
Advertisement
And I was playing a role in that, even in my small way.
Curiosity Goes Both Ways
One of the most surprising and heartwarming parts of that day was how curious everyone was about me.
They Asked Me
“How does voting work in your home country?”
“What is the process like in India?”
“How do elections feel there, is it similar or very different?”
We exchanged stories, perspectives, and laughter.
I didn’t feel like the outsider anymore.
I felt like the bridge, someone connecting experiences across cultures.
And in those conversations, I realized that being different is not a disadvantage, it’s an asset. It brings perspective. It invites curiosity. It creates understanding.
Advertisement
Belonging Comes From Participation
Toward the end of the day, one of the senior officials smiled and said to me:
“You did great today. It’s really good to see someone young and new to Canada taking part in something like this.”
Those words stayed with me.
At the end of the shift, several people appreciated my work. They thanked me. They encouraged me. Some even told me I should consider coming back in future elections.
And for the first time since arriving in Canada, I didn’t just feel like I lived here.
I felt like I belonged here.
Being “the Only One” Is Powerful
Advertisement
Yes, I was the youngest.
Yes, I was the only Indian.
Yes, I was new.
But that didn’t limit me.
It expanded me.
Standing Out Helped Me Understand That
You don’t need to look like everyone to contribute. You don’t need years of experience to have purpose. You don’t need to feel ready to show up.
Belonging isn’t given, it’s built.
Sometimes simply by choosing to be present.
A Small Day. A Big Lesson.
Advertisement
Working in the provincial elections was just one day. But it taught me something I will carry for years:
Courage doesn’t announce itself.
Sometimes, it’s a quiet decision to try.
The beginning of every new chapter can feel uncomfortable, but beyond that discomfort is growth, confidence, and identity.
Because every beginning has a beyond.
If there’s something you’ve been hesitating to try, something new, unfamiliar, or uncertain:
Say yes anyway.
You don’t have to be fully ready to start.
You just have to be willing.
Your courage will meet you there.
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to hear yours.
Share a moment when you stepped into something new, even when it felt unfamiliar.
Share This
Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading…
About Beginnings & Beyond
Beginnings and Beyond is a growth and mindset brand that empowers students and young professionals to find confidence through life’s transitions.
From starting a new job to adjusting to a new country, we help you navigate uncertainty with curiosity and courage.
Through honest stories, coaching insights, and relatable experiences, Beginnings and Beyond inspires individuals to see every beginning as an opportunity to grow, and go beyond.
Because confidence doesn’t come from knowing it all, it comes from believing you’ll figure it out along the way.