Am I an Impostor? Overcoming self-doubt
Learn about Imposter Syndrome and its effect
Thursday, March 14, 2024 · 12 - 1:30 PM
"I have spent my years since Princeton, while at law school and in my various professional jobs, not feeling completely a part of the worlds I inhabit. I am always looking over my shoulder wondering if I measure up." ~ Sonia Sotomayor, First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice
Imposter syndrome can have several negative effects on individuals, particularly those in stages of their lives with lots of stress, like graduate students. A person who suffers from this syndrome feels as though they don’t deserve the success they have achieved, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary. They feel like a fraud and think that they are never really good enough.
While impostor syndrome is not an official diagnosis, it is a real psychological phenomenon, which can cause a great deal of stress. Negative effects of this syndrome on graduate students include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Missing opportunities (for example, because they might feel they are not good enough to apply for a job for which they are, in fact, qualified)
- Burnout (as they always work too hard, so they can prove themselves)
- In extreme cases, depression
During this session, participants will learn about imposter syndrome, impacts and brainstorm on best practices to overcome these feelings.
Join Melody Wright, of the Talent Learning & OD department, as we:
- Identify what imposter syndrome is.
- Identify the causes of imposter syndrome and its effects on individuals.
- Employ methods to reduce or eliminate imposter syndrome.
Please register by selecting "going" above. If your plans change, please navigate back to this page and select "not going".
Please feel free to reach us at gspd@umbc.edu for special accommodations, or for questions, comments.
