4 ms·

I can relate to most of the things you've said for me, my imposter syndrome comes mainly when I look around and see everyone working hard and struggling to do

I can relate to most of the things you've said for me, my imposter syndrome comes mainly when I look around and see everyone working hard and struggling to do stuff well and I feel like I'm not even in 2nd gear and doing as well. So I think I feel like I'm only putting in less then 25% effort and getting 100% of the normal results (relative to others) - it feels wrong, it's like finishing a test or exam too soon and looking around seeing everyone only half way through the same exam. I then start to worry what have I done wrong? with many years of contract work, I've realised It's not me!! I used to try and hide it since no-one likes a smart arse - especially a contractor. but now I do blow a my little trumpet now and then

nerpderp82 5y ago
I am going to use this for my humble brag training next week.
- 123pie123 5y ago
  I should have added: I really do think I have ADHD and I do become obsessive about things, my job is my hobby, so I probably put more time in to things than what i realise, but I still do feel like an imposter occasionally (less so with getting older)
ASalazarMX 5y ago
Used to be a midrange programmer who others thought as brilliant. It was hard to start two decades ago, but always looking for a challenge meant consistent growth for years. After five years it felt too easy, like cheating. My peers would struggle for a week with what I could deliver in an afternoon. Seeking better opportunities I migrated to web development, and boy, it's hard to be a novice again. Everyone I worked with was better than me at everything. It's hard to feel like the impostor when you know you're the less skilled one. Now web development doesn't pay that well, so the natural path was cybersecurity. Still learning, and I feel like this will be my last career change because it takes years to stop feeling dumb and start feeling like an impostor again.
- 123pie123 5y ago
  the money is ok/ good in the field I've choosen, so moving would mean a decrease in money, I do work with a lot of cybersec people and boy are they under a lot of pressure with badly designed applications - saying that it's amazing how many of the sec people do not even bother with learning the very basics eg like how TLS really works
- the_only_law 5y ago
  > Now web development doesn't pay that well, so the natural path was cybersecurity. Still learning, and I feel like this will be my last career change because it takes years to stop feeling dumb and start feeling like an impostor again. Does cybersecurity pay better, at least in certain markets/contexts I was under the impression that doing web dev would land you several thousands more salary wise, though I'd certainly settle to work on the parts of security I'm not smart enough to lmao.
  - ASalazarMX 5y ago
    At the same level, development always pays better. I had the fortune to be promoted from senior developer to CISO when the area was formally opened at a small company. To be honest, I feel the change came before I felt proficient at web development, but I'm happy because I was always complaining about unsafe practices, and now I get to write the policies.
deanCommie 5y ago
It sounds like you are not being challenged enough. Look for a new role or a new company?
- 123pie123 5y ago
  I'm a contractor/ consultant I do spend about 1-2 years at different companies and I do pick the most challenging projects - typically modifying old stuff with no documentation
imtringued 5y ago
It is possible that people are only slacking when you can't see them. If all of them had impostor syndrome they would pretend to work hard around you.

nerpderp82 5y ago

I am going to use this for my humble brag training next week.

123pie123 5y ago
I should have added: I really do think I have ADHD and I do become obsessive about things, my job is my hobby, so I probably put more time in to things than what i realise, but I still do feel like an imposter occasionally (less so with getting older)

ASalazarMX 5y ago

Used to be a midrange programmer who others thought as brilliant. It was hard to start two decades ago, but always looking for a challenge meant consistent growth for years. After five years it felt too easy, like cheating. My peers would struggle for a week with what I could deliver in an afternoon. Seeking better opportunities I migrated to web development, and boy, it's hard to be a novice again. Everyone I worked with was better than me at everything. It's hard to feel like the impostor when you know you're the less skilled one. Now web development doesn't pay that well, so the natural path was cybersecurity. Still learning, and I feel like this will be my last career change because it takes years to stop feeling dumb and start feeling like an impostor again.

123pie123 5y ago
the money is ok/ good in the field I've choosen, so moving would mean a decrease in money, I do work with a lot of cybersec people and boy are they under a lot of pressure with badly designed applications - saying that it's amazing how many of the sec people do not even bother with learning the very basics eg like how TLS really works
the_only_law 5y ago
> Now web development doesn't pay that well, so the natural path was cybersecurity. Still learning, and I feel like this will be my last career change because it takes years to stop feeling dumb and start feeling like an impostor again. Does cybersecurity pay better, at least in certain markets/contexts I was under the impression that doing web dev would land you several thousands more salary wise, though I'd certainly settle to work on the parts of security I'm not smart enough to lmao.
- ASalazarMX 5y ago
  At the same level, development always pays better. I had the fortune to be promoted from senior developer to CISO when the area was formally opened at a small company. To be honest, I feel the change came before I felt proficient at web development, but I'm happy because I was always complaining about unsafe practices, and now I get to write the policies.

deanCommie 5y ago

It sounds like you are not being challenged enough. Look for a new role or a new company?

123pie123 5y ago
I'm a contractor/ consultant I do spend about 1-2 years at different companies and I do pick the most challenging projects - typically modifying old stuff with no documentation

imtringued 5y ago

It is possible that people are only slacking when you can't see them. If all of them had impostor syndrome they would pretend to work hard around you.