Celeste Tomaselli

What motivated you to do a Ted Talk?

I get really nervous when I think about speaking in front of people so I did this to kind of push myself out of my comfort zone.

Why did you choose your specific topic?

I chose my topic because I have a personal connection with it and I wanted to share this information with others.

What’s one thing you want people to know/appreciate about your subject?

My talk analyzes the eight different types of intelligence people can have and that’s exactly what I want people to know. Just because you don’t excel in one thing doesn’t mean you aren’t smart. There are many ways in which people can be intelligent.

What makes a strong TED Talk?

I think engaging the audience makes a strong Ted Talk. Trying to form a bond with the people you’re talking with makes your talk seem more personal and not like you’re just spewing information at people.

When did you first realize you were into your subject?

I would say I got into psychology overall in 7th grade but I was really interested in my specific Ted Talk topic last year.

Who are some of the people who inspire you in your field?

I’m really more inspired by people in my local community like social workers I’ve met in middle school and high school and certain teachers.

How did you prepare for your talk?

The people who organize TedX at our school give us a list of specific deadlines we need to meet, and in order to prepare I just make sure I meet those deadlines or even finish things earlier than suggested.

How nervous are you to speak in front of so many people?

I am actually extremely nervous. I was so nervous at one point that I almost emailed asking them to remove me as a speaker. Despite this, I know this will be a good opportunity and as long as I prepare it will all be worth it in the end.