Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mehjabin Majid. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mehjabin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents have always kept it real with me, never promising more than reality, but always encouraging me to appreciate what I already have. A quote by Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right,” echoes my dad’s advice: start by accepting you might fail, but try anyway, because the outcome might just surprise you. That mindset has shaped the way I approach challenges and define success.

Growing up in Bangladesh shaped me in ways I’ll never forget. The culture, memories, and values I absorbed there are still part of who I am today. If you had told my younger self that I would one day be part of the school and community I’m in now, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I’ve always underestimated myself; I don’t automatically expect a positive outcome, which means I don’t stay disappointed for too long.

That’s why opening the acceptance email for the Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science (MATES) was such a shock, and why I still feel so grateful every day to be here. Although I didn’t initially expect to get accepted, my parents uplifted me by pushing me to work hard and never to lose hope. Their dreams for my success continue to motivate me. Even though this school challenges me daily and I sometimes feel like I don’t quite fit in, I never wish to leave, because it’s an opportunity not everyone is given. Their support reminds me every day that even when the path feels uncertain, belief and effort can take you farther than you expect.

Mehjabin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ever since I was young, I was never fond of healthcare-related careers for my future; this was mainly due to the cultural pressure of becoming a doctor. Honestly, I didn’t have the same level of motivation to study as aspiring doctors do. However, my perspective shifted recently when I launched the Insightful Leadership & Research Fellowship under BeliefsConnected in collaboration with USF. Becoming the Research Lead, specializing in Behavioral Science, allowed me to experience the fulfillment of helping others succeed.

Receiving a simple thank you from my mentees felt like a prize and a real achievement. At first, I felt nervous to mentor those who had more research experience than I, but I soon realized that connection alone can go a long way. Listening to their ideas and encouraging them proved to be more valuable than any expertise alone. This sense of connection reflects the core of BeliefsConnected: empowering individuals to share diverse perspectives, engage in meaningful discussions, and build understanding across cultures and ideas.

The ILRF Fellowship program allows students to relate, share, and connect across the world. The goal is to make leadership accessible to underrepresented voices through hands-on projects and community engagement. What sets me apart is my dedication to every student in our program. I’m committed to guiding them not just during the program, but beyond it as well, so their research projects and leadership skills have a lasting impact long after the fellowship ends.

My proudest moment this year is working with my mentees, Rehman Nouman and Nour Akl. Rehman’s gratitude for the opportunity to research psychology, despite feeling unsupported, inspires me to keep going. Similarly, Nour’s project on the neuropsychological impact of social media on adolescents using a PHQ-9 analysis is deeply tied to her personal background. Seeing her reasoning and passion behind her research project is an inspiration for many students, as that is what research should be all about. I am honored to serve as her research advisor on this important journey. After hours of mentoring, seeing the polished final version of all my mentees’ research papers brings immense satisfaction and pride in this opportunity.

Any advice for managing a team?

When I first became president of my grade, I didn’t fully realize how important it was for all of us to have clear expectations and structure. I thought that as long as I did my part well, the year would go smoothly. I quickly realized this wasn’t enough, and by the end of the school year, it showed in our results. In the first four months, we weren’t much of a team as we became inconsistent with holding meetings and really showing up. Ideas were just thrown out, but never executed. I learned how important it is to stay in regular contact with members while maintaining a clear structure. Building connections with each member helps them feel comfortable. Without comfort and trust, productivity suffers. Another key factor is combining organization with room for opinions. Every member should have the opportunity to express themselves, feel heard, and the team should make a collective decision. I won’t say my first year was perfect, but I’m committed to learning from my mistakes and leading my team with better structure and focus to meet, and even exceed, the student body’s expectations.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met Ananya on a random day while scrolling through Instagram. I saw an ad for applications to the Voice Unfiltered Club and decided to apply. Within a month, we became co-founders, never expecting our organization to grow to reach more than 140,000 students, as it has now. More than a business partner, she is my friend. I have never felt any competition between us; she always makes sure we share leadership roles fairly and support each other’s ideas. She focuses on organization, while I handle execution, and I feel honored to work with her; her dreams inspire me to keep pursuing mine. Though Ananya lives across the world and leads a very different life, still, when we meet with our executive board or have late-night conversations about organizing our next program, it’s clear we’re just two teenagers trying to create a real difference. I hope that through our work, we can continue inspiring students everywhere to find their voice and make an impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://insightfulfellowship.carrd.co/#
• Instagram: anywho_m007
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehjabin-majid-884569361/?profileId=ACoAAFn2M6QBk7vxKFiIQI0oKkMMK2k-EynelpY
• Other: @Beliefsconnected on Instagram

Image Credits

United Students Forum