Tackling Imposter Syndrome in Software Engineering

Imposter syndrome — the concept that you’re faking it and once you remove your facade, everyone around you will find out just how incompetent or inferior you are.

Imposter syndrome affects many populations but particularly impacts minority groups in areas that lack representation.

In this article, I will focus on imposter syndrome in STEM/technology/software engineering fields, but these tips can be applied broadly. Information in this article is based on my own experiences; if you have other tips please do chime in in the comment section!

Let’s get down to it! What concrete steps can you take to build confidence and fight off Imposter syndrome?

1. Acknowledge your Feelings.

This may be the first time you are experiencing feelings of self-doubt or it may be the 100th time. Either way, it is important to reflect on your pattern of thoughts and consider whether you may be experiencing imposter syndrome. You may consider taking an Imposter Syndrome Test online or speaking with a professional.

Having a label for what you are experiencing can be comforting in itself and can help you form a plan. Admitting to feelings of self-doubt is by no means…