The document discusses imposter syndrome, particularly its prevalence in the tech field, emphasizing feelings of inadequacy despite success. It provides strategies for individuals and communities to address these feelings, such as acknowledging emotions, tracking achievements, and fostering open discussions about knowledge gaps. The overall message encourages transparency and the acceptance of not knowing everything as part of the learning process.

1. Unmasking
Imposter Syndrome
Caitlin Hudon | @beeonaposy
Lead Dev Austin Meetup

2. About me
● Not an expert
● Data scientist
● Always learning
https://xkcd.com/1954/

3. What is imposter syndrome?
Why is imposter syndrome so prevalent in tech?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as individuals?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as a community?

4. Imposter syndrome:
A collection of feelings of
inadequacy that persist
despite evident success

5. What is imposter syndrome?
Why is imposter syndrome so prevalent in tech?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as individuals?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as a community?

6. DATA SCIENCE IS
A NEW FIELD
“Business analyst”
“Data analyst”
“Research scientist”

7. DATA SCIENCE IS
A COMBINATION OF OTHER FIELDS
+ Data analysis
+ Statistics
+ Software engineering
+ Machine learning
+ Visualization
+ Database administration
+ Business acumen
Machine Learning 101 deck

8. DATA SCIENCE IS
CONSTANTLY EXPANDING

9. What we see Reality

11. What is imposter syndrome?
Why is imposter syndrome so prevalent in tech?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as individuals?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as a community?

14. https://twitter.com/ithinkwellHugh/status/954159511425646597

15. https://larahogan.me/donuts/

17. I will never be able to learn everything
there is to know in data science — I will
never know every algorithm, every
technology, every cool package, or
even every language — and that’s okay.

18. Acknowledge your feelings.
Track your wins.
Shift your perspective.
Focus on positive feedback.
Be realistic (and get started).

19. What is imposter syndrome?
Why is imposter syndrome so prevalent in tech?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as individuals?
How can we deal with imposter syndrome as a community?

20. Fake it ‘til you make it

21. I don’t know.

22. CONTACT

23. https://jvns.ca/blog/2017/04/27/no-feigning-surprise/

24. https://jvns.ca/blog/2017/04/27/no-feigning-surprise/

28. We can embrace both being
knowledgeable and not
knowing things —
and do so in public.

29. Don’t fake it til you make it.
Get comfortable with ‘I don’t know’.
No feigning surprise.
Compliment good work.
Ask & encourage questions.
Be transparent about your journey.

30. Thank you!
Caitlin Hudon
@beeonaposy
caitlinhudon.com