The document discusses impostor syndrome, which is a psychological pattern of doubting one's abilities and fearing being exposed as a "fraud". It describes common signs like self-doubt, comparing oneself to others, and an inability to accept praise. Potential causes include praise from others, being a minority in one's environment, and cultural pressures in school or work. The document provides coping strategies like separating feelings from facts, finding support, and reframing failures as opportunities to learn. It emphasizes that impostor syndrome is common and discussing it openly can help address it.

1. The Impostor Syndrome:
It’s not just you!
Drs. Felicia De La Garza Mercer & Lisa Meeks
October 16, 2013

2. Pop Quiz
 Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you’re not as smart or capable
as they think you are?
 Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?
 Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a “fluke”, “no big deal” or
the fact that people just "like" you?
 Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing things
perfectly?
 Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence
of your "ineptness?“
 Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are smarter
and more capable than you are?
 •Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked?
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

3. Workshop Agenda
 What is Impostor Syndrome?
 Why is this important to know
about?
 How to cope with impostor
feelings

4. Feeling like a Fraud

5. One of These Things Is Not
Like the Other

6. Signs of Impostor Syndrome

Self-doubt

Sense of incompetence

Frequently comparing yourself to others

Low self-esteem, self-worth

Fear, anxiety

Immobility

Stress & burnout

Under-performance

Hard to accept praise and/or compliments

Inability to enjoy your accomplishments

7. Sources of Impostor Feelings
 “You’re so smart!”
 You’re a student or new hire
 The politics and culture of graduate/professional school
can fuel self-doubt
 You belong to an underrepresented group and are a
minority in your school/work place
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

8. Sources of Impostor Feelings

9. But I Can Explain All That
 Luck or timing
 Supposed simplicity of
the task
 Others help or low
expectations
 Computer error
 Likeability
 Other creative excuses…
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

10. Competence Types
 The Perfectionist
 The Expert
 The Soloist
 The Natural Genius
 The Superwoman/man/student
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

11. Coping & Protecting
Strategies
 Hard work to make up for “ineptness”
 Holding back
 Use of charm or perceptiveness
 Procrastination
 Not finishing
 Self-sabotage
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

12. Small Changes Add Up
 Break the silence and normalize feelings
 It’s not just you!
 Separate feelings from fact
 Change thoughts and behaviors first and let feelings
catch up…understand your unique “impostor pattern”
 Reframe those “fraud” feelings into a sense of learning
and growing
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

14. Small Changes Add Up
 Find a mentor, create a support system & community
 Teach and be a mentor
 Remind yourself that you are not alone
 “Everyone else is an impostor, too.” – Tina Fey
 Remind yourself of your accomplishments

15. True Competence
 Knowing how to identify the resources it takes to get
the job done…
 Time
 Money
 Information
 People
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

16. Use Your Resources!
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Counseling
Student Disability
Services
First Gen
Support Services
• 476-1281
• 476-6595
• 514-0840
Learning
Resource
Services
Multicultural
Resource Center
Office of Career
& Professional
Development
• 502-0319
• 502-1911
• 476-4986
Your Peers
Faculty/Mentors