I guess people never associate shyness with ambition; we think that all shy people are reclusive and content with staying home with their families. I randomly started thinking about this combination of characteristics when I was comparing fictional characters with myself and finding similarities and differences.
I’m shy and quiet and timid. I think I care a little bit too much about what people think about me, and I feel self-conscious even when my rational mind tells me that other people probably don’t pay enough attention to me in the first place to judge me too harshly. This characteristic of mine brought to mind Laura Wingfield from The Glass Menagerie. I could relate to her self-consciousness and how she feels safest when she’s alone and not under others’ scrutiny. However, unlike Laura, I do feel motivated to finish high school, graduate from college and get a job in which I can hopefully have a positive impact on the world. I want to be able to do things with my life (like volunteering, getting internships, participating in clubs) that require interacting with other people, and this does help me overcome my shyness occasionally.
The closest character I could think of who has the ambition/shyness combination is Jo March from Little Women. She has dreams of becoming a famous author. She’s introverted and doesn’t like being a “proper” lady. She feels awkward at parties and while having to make small talk with strangers and prefers being with close friends and family (as I do). However, I don’t think she’s shy exactly. She isn’t terribly self-conscious and she’s definitely not quiet. She’s famous for having a temper. Beth March is the shy one who, like Laura, is almost terrified of speaking to strangers and is content to stay home and care for her family.
Insert Your Own Poetic Name 
I can relate. Especially to Jo. I’m not really shy, not in the normal sense. I’m socially awkward, I’m unsure, I can’t speak in classes when I don’t know anyone and I certainly can’t speak to the teacher or adults. I’m introverted/introspective and most of the time I am content in silence and in watching others.
But like you, I want to do tons of stuff with my life. I want to experience things, go places, help people, create art, and achieve much.
I think it’s because people think of these two characteristics as contradictory, as self-impeding. Shyness and ambition are constantly at odds with one another, but sometimes one wins over the other, depending on how much is at stake and how much you want something. But isn’t every character in books like that? At least, every well-written protagonist? There is always some sort of contradiction, some sort of emotional internal conflict playing out that most of the time results in stalemate, but sometimes leads to trusting your gut and taking a leap of faith. Shyness vs. ambition is just one of those.
You should write a book! 🙂 Novel Society will participate (or…will attempt to) in NaNoWriMo this year! But you’ll prob still be doing College Apps like crazy. Well, you can dream.