It's not always "imposter syndrome" you feel, sometimes you are an actual "imposter", but that's ok <3: acknowledging that makes you stronger!

It's not always "imposter syndrome" you feel, sometimes you are an actual "imposter", but that's ok <3: acknowledging that makes you stronger! I had some interesting discussions this weekend about imposter syndrome. It was discussed one person's bootcamp has a major emphasis on overcoming "imposter syndrome" and have several classes and lectures on the topic thoroughout the problem. Before going farther I want to make it clear this write up is my own opinions and also has my own biases. I did a traditional CS degree and graduated into a FAANG career path and even though I work/have worked with hundreds of people from bootcamp backgrounds, I have inherit biases in my views. I also can see how these views might be perceived as gatekeeping or discouraging to people struggling right now to get jobs and learn programming - and this cannot be farther from the truth.... I AM TRYING TO HELP. There's no shortcut to success in the current market and I truly believe that reflecting on these views will help you improve your position. Finally, I started a mentorship platform for people who have 1-5+ YOE and who are trying to level up, but his is not for bootcamp grads struggling to get a job, I am not advertising it to you and this post has nothing to do with that. Please share with your bootcamps if you resonate with this view and your current/past bootcamp doesn't provide this advice. &#x200B; **What do I consider "Imposter Syndrome"?** Imposter Syndrome is a constant fear of being exposed as a fraud and you never know if you are truly growing or if you getting better at not getting caught and getting by. As a result, I've seen these behaviors: **Doubting Skills**: you did a 12 week program and are competing with people that have done 30+ 12 week COURSES in their CS degrees on the same topics, so people feel their skills just can't be up to par. **Overvaluing Errors**: we all make mistakes and errors, but bootcamp grads tend to think that one mistakes immediately lowers ones ranking. **Overvaluing External Validation**: you give way too much weight to every piece of feedback given by anyone who seems credible without deeply considering the full context on that person and their feedback. &#x200B; **What do I consider NOT "Imposter Syndrome", i.e. being an actual imposter** The key difference is an actual, tangible gap in knowledge, skills, or experience compared others. While it's hard to tell if those gaps are tangible or in your head, a set of well informed, neutral observers would likely agree on those gaps. In the context of bootcamps: 1. **Limited Depth**: you spend a few days on topics that most people require months to get strong at. If you are competing for jobs against people who have genuinely spent months getting good at something, you are likely an imposter in portraying the same skill level after a few days. 2. **Lack of Work Experience**: there are many nuances that cannot possibly be covered in any educational environment. This can't be simulated with projects and if you present your project like work, you are indeed missing experience compared to a very similar candidate with real work experience. 3. **Unrealistic Self-Representation or Awareness**: if you present your 12 week program for more than it was, you are indeed an imposter who is misrepresenting their background and will be going into recruiters calls not just feeling like one **So now you feel bad and don't know what to do to get a job in this market....** 1. **Keep Learning**: you might have tangible gaps but instead of playing video games, you can keep learning and practicing on your own. 2. **Seek Mentorship/Accurate Feedback**: Engaging with experienced developers can provide perspective, validate one's skills, and offer guidance on areas of improvement. 3. **Transparent Representation**: It's essential to represent oneself authentically. Instead of overstating abilities, it's more valuable to demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt. 4. **Acknowledge Imposter Feelings**: Recognizing and confronting Imposter Syndrome is the first step towards overcoming it. Conversations with peers can reveal that these feelings are widespread and not an accurate reflection of one's abilities. In conclusion, while the journey of a software engineer post-bootcamp can be rife with self-doubt and challenges, understanding the distinctions between Imposter Syndrome and being an actual "imposter" is crucial. With the right mindset, continuous learning, and authentic self-representation, bootcamp grads can confidently navigate the software engineering landscape and build rewarding careers.