Grad15: Overcoming Imposter Phenomenon

Have you ever looked around a classroom or meeting and thought, “Everyone else deserves to be here more than I do”? If so, you’re not alone. That creeping sense of self-doubt despite clear evidence of your hard work and talent has a name: imposter syndrome. It’s something many graduate students experience, often quietly, while assuming they’re the only ones who feel this way. The truth is, imposter syndrome is surprisingly common in academia, and talking about it openly is the first step toward overcoming it.

 

 

What is imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is defined as a sense of self-perceived phoniness among high-performing individuals in regard to intellectual aptitude or competence. It is driven by the principle of pluralistic ignorance – or the premise that sufferers of imposter syndrome privately believe themselves to be less ‘worthy’ than others and do not recognize that others are just as privately feeling the same way. Though we often see it manifested in academia, it’s also common in other career areas, too.

Who does imposter syndrome affect?

Imposter syndrome can affect any of us. According to some studies, it affects more than 70% of graduate students. Students who are underrepresented (either in academia or within their chosen field) are often most at risk.

Why is it so pervasive in academia?

Imposter syndrome is common in academia because we tend not to talk about it out of fear of being stigmatized or deemed ‘unfit’ for the rigors of graduate study. Furthermore, the academic culture, with its high bar for entry and competitive nature, lends itself to the experience of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

How can we combat imposter syndrome?

• Know when you feel fraudulent.
• Separate feelings from fact.
• Flip your script.
• Embrace a novice midset.
• Talk about it.

Check out this six-minute Ted-Ed video outlining imposter syndrome by Elizabeth Cox.

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Grad15 is a mini-webinar series around graduate student professional development, support and resources. See all professional development events on the Graduate College’s Professional Development website.