Lauren LotkaMOLBIO (Cell & Developmental Bio) Senior Being a STEM major and pursuing a career in the field has many challenges. While studying for exams and completing long lists of assignments is a big source of stress, this is not the only cause of anxiety. In addition to classes, we are expected to join research labs, attend conferences, give presentations, UTA and much more. With these accomplishments and successes should come a feeling of competency and confidence in your abilities. However, this is not always the case. What you may be feeling is a phenomenon called imposter syndrome, which is common in students and professionals in the STEM field. It can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. It is accompanied by chronic self-doubt and “intellectual fraudulence” that overrides any feelings of success or accomplishment. I first experienced this after joining a research lab in the department. I always felt insecure about talking about science and my research because I didn’t feel like I was qualified or competent enough to talk about it despite the positive feedback I received from my fellow lab members. For me, the first step was recognizing how I felt and that the feeling is more common than I think. It is helpful to know you are not alone in your feelings and that it has nothing to do with actual competency or success. https://students-residents.aamc.org/attending-medical-school/article/imposter-syndrome/ But why does this happen? Researchers suggest that imposter syndrome doesn’t equate with low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence but instead is linked with perfectionism, especially among women. For those with imposter syndrome, it is common to have such thoughts and feelings as “I feel like a fake” or “It’s just luck.” Imposters often believe they give the impression that they are more competent than they actually are and have a deep feeling that they lack knowledge. There is also a tendency to downplay accomplishments and attribute success to luck or other external reasons and not their abilities. So how can we overcome these negative feelings that come with imposter syndrome? Like I mentioned, recognizing your feelings and why you are feeling them is the first step. For me, learning imposter syndrome existed alleviated a lot of the feelings I was having. However, it is still not perfect. It is ongoing and you have to constantly work at it. Remind yourself that it is okay to not know everything because there is a lot you do know. Take failures as learning opportunities and be kind to yourself when you make small mistakes (because everyone makes them). Also, talk about your feelings! Whether it is with friends, advisors, or trusted professors. It is likely that they have felt similar feelings before and talking out what you are feeling can be extremely helpful. So, remember to celebrate your accomplishments and know you are smarter than you think you are. You are where you are for a reason and that was through the hard work you put in. Want to learn more and read about some seriously amazing people who also have imposter syndrome: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/working-womans-handbook/overcome-impostor-syndrome https://hbr.org/2008/05/overcoming-imposter-syndrome https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2019/01/27/why-imposter-syndrome-is-a-good-thing/#73db41ad472a https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_cox_what_is_imposter_syndrome_and_how_can_you_combat_it?language=en Talking about imposter syndrome is the best cure. Want to talk? Please let us know!
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January 2022
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