Career Corner: Do This One Thing to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Woman feeling anxious

Have you ever felt like you can never really enjoy your moments of triumph because you are always waiting for the other shoe to drop? This could be related to what many people deal with known as impostor syndrome.

Impostor syndrome is a feeling where despite whatever success or accomplishments you achieve, you wind up feeling like you haven’t really earned it and it could fall apart at any moment.

By way of Julia Carpenter of the Wall Street Journal, we hear of the author’s own struggle with feeling like an impostor. Carpenter admits that she is constantly anxious about her finances and that this is actually a very common phenomenon for millennials in particular.

Given that millennials are the generation that has already lived through one recession, and are now dealing with the financial woes of Covid, that is understandable.

Financial coach Maggie Germano attests to how it affects her clients, saying, “They always feel things will fall apart financially.” She adds “I have clients who make really good money but then still worry about losing everything.”

As far as combatting impostor syndrome, Carpenter recommends seeking out a mentor and inquiring about their career journey. Even having an open conversation on the topic with friends could be beneficial.

If you do, you will likely hear similar stories of how most people have felt like they don’t know what they are doing, doubting if they are making the right decision, and worrying about their career future.

Despite the outward appearance that everyone else is confident in their every step, the truth is many are uncertain about their choices.

According to the Journal of General Internal Medicine, 82% of people have felt like an impostor at some point in their careers. Like so many sources of anxiety, finding someone supportive to listen and speak with you about it is often the reality check you need to put things back in perspective.

To learn more about impostor syndrome and how to overcome it, read the Wall Street Journal’s article by clicking here.

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Wilmington University, the sponsor of VISTA.Today’s Career Corner, is a private, open-access institution that serves the unique needs of more than 22,000 busy adults seeking advancement through higher education.

The most affordable private university in the Delaware Valley, WilmU is committed to the idea that finishing an undergraduate degree or obtaining a Master’s degree can be both affordable and accessible.

The University offers more than 200 accredited and career-relevant degree and certificate programs in flexible online and hybrid formats designed to accommodate any adult’s demanding career, family, and personal schedules.

Learn more about WilmU here or register to attend one of the school’s frequent webinars for an overview of programs, flexible scheduling options, affordable tuition, the admissions process, and more.

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