Imposter Syndrome, Anyone?
Monday April 21, 2008
Most graduate students and new professionals feel, at least sometimes, like they are fooling the world. Someday someone will learn that they really don't know what they're doing and that they're frauds. This is a very common sentiment that is referred to as the impostor syndrome, as the student feels like an impostor and not a real academic. Learn more about the impostor syndrome from this article at Science Careers. Also see: Surviving Graduate School
Comments
Nice article. I just wrote a book on The Impostor Syndrome.
The Impostor Syndrome is the underlying feeling that you are not as smart, skilled, or talented as people think you are. It’s a dread that people will find out you are faking it.
How do you know if you suffer from The Impostor Syndrome? In his book, The Impostor Syndrome: How to Replace Self-Doubt with Self-Confidence and Train Your Brain for Success, John Graden outlines some possible indicators:
1. Do you sometimes not speak up because you feel people will realize you’re not as smart as they think you are?
2. Do you find it hard to accept praise?
3. Is it difficult for you to take credit for your accomplishments?
4. Do you feel like a fake and fear you are going to be found out soon?
5. Are you a perfectionist who is terrified of making a mistake?
Find out more about The Impostor Syndrome at http://www.JohnGraden.com