Like many children of immigrants, growing up I thought I had to become a doctor, engineer, lawyer, or the next to be successful (Okay, maybe that last one was just me). Although I’ve always excelled in writing, I hesitated in telling my father—after I had already taken the LSAT—that I would be pursuing a career in publishing instead of applying to law school.
In a voice that was one part disappointment mixed with two parts fear, he said, “What are you going to do with books? You cannot make money doing what you love.”
Flash forward nearly a decade later through a challenging, surprising, and rewarding editorial career, and I’m happy to say my parents are proud of me (that’s +1 point for my fellow first-gens keeping score at home), but I still struggle with accepting that I’ve actually earned my accomplishments.
I’m not alone; impostor syndrome is the self-defeating belief that you can never be good enough, or that luck—not effort—is responsible for your success. It can affect anyone, though it's especially pernicious among those of us with marginalized identities such as women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ folks. It can also be self-perpetuating, as believing yourself to be less than qualified can inspire you to work harder and then be rewarded for your efforts. Even the word itself, which is variously spelled "impostor" and "imposter" (both are correct!), seems to inspire second-guessing.
Through career coaching and some helpful listens, I’m learning to undo this unhelpful way of thinking. If you can relate to any part of my story, I hope you’ll listen along with me to expert advice on how to take credit for your accomplishments, build confidence, and create the career you deserve.
