Omar Damji: What skills have you developed in TED-Ed, and how have you implemented them in your daily lives?

When I first joined the Encounters TED-Ed Club, I didn’t realize just how much I’d grow, as a student, communicator, and a leader. What I thought would be a simple public speaking program turned out to be a deep dive into a community that inspired communication, curiosity, and confidence.

This year, I took on two roles: helping plan the conference as part of the logistics team, and developing my own TED Talk.

As part of the logistics team, I got a behind the scenes look at everything it takes to make a conference happen. From setting up schedules to coordinating with teachers and other teams, we had to stay sharp, organized, and in constant communication.

The biggest lesson? Collaboration. And not just the buzzword kind. I learned what it really means to work with others listening, giving feedback, stepping up when needed, and stepping back when it helps the team.

And with collaboration comes conflict. It happens. Not everyone agrees on every decision, and sometimes tensions rise. But this experience helped me see that conflict doesn’t have to be negative. It’s about managing different perspectives, staying level-headed, and respectful and understanding that everyone deserves to be heard. These are real-world skills, and I’ve already started using them in school projects and other activities.

While planning the conference was a team effort, writing my talk was a deeply personal journey. At first, I was stuck—what should I even write about? What mattered enough to share on stage? What did I have to say that others might care about?

I spent a lot of time reflecting, questioning, and circling through ideas. Eventually, I realized the process wasn’t just about finding the “perfect” topic, it was about discovering what I was truly passionate about. Writing my talk helped me explore new questions: What do I care about? Why does it matter? How can I share that with others in an authentic way?

It also taught me the value of patience and revision. I didn’t need to settle for my first, second, or even third idea. Sometimes, it took stepping back, rethinking, and coming full circle to make real progress. That mindset has stayed with me, and now I approach schoolwork and projects with a more thoughtful, layered process.

TED-Ed didn’t just give me a chance to speak—it gave me space to grow. I’ve walked away with stronger communication skills, a deeper understanding of teamwork, and a clearer sense of who I am and what I care about. These aren’t just “conference skills”, they’re life skills!