You're not a fraud: battling imposter syndrome in STEM

Background

If you work in STEM or take even a keen interest in the field, it’s highly likely you’d have heard of and possibly experienced the term 'imposter syndrome'. Despite the glamorised success stories and carefully curated achievements we see in professional circles and on social media, let’s take a realistic step back - people struggle no matter how qualified they are. It’s okay to admit that, and it’s time we remove the stigma of this common experience.

Coming into the Scientist Training Programme, I felt a sense of excitement and pride in my achievement of having even managed to get a place on the programme. As I settled in, this quickly turned into something else – fear, anxiety, worry. Feelings that I may not be good enough or I’m not where I belong. I seemed like the only one in my department without a postgraduate qualification. I began feeling out of place. It was only until I was able to put a label on this feeling – imposter syndrome, that I could take active steps to fix it.

So, what is imposter syndrome? Put simply, it's the persistent feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy despite evident success. It makes you question whether you truly deserve your accomplishments, fearing that at any moment, someone will expose you as a fraud. This is extremely pronounced in a technical environment where your success is largely measured by your ability to tackle complex problems.

Understanding its purpose

While frustrating, imposter syndrome stems from a mechanism designed to keep us grounded and striving for growth. As social beings, we evolved to be highly attuned to hierarchies and belonging, and self-doubt may have once served as a protective mechanism, preventing reckless decisions. However, in today’s world, particularly in STEM fields, this innate caution can turn into chronic self-evaluation.

The role of social media

Imposter syndrome can be exacerbated through the often-unrealistic lens of social media. As I scroll through various social media platforms, I encounter countless posts showcasing often unrealistically flawless careers. Despite what you see in those 'day in the life' posts, not every STEM professional wakes up at 4am and has a cold shower. Rarely do we see the setbacks, rejections, or moments of self-doubt behind those polished posts, yet they exist for everyone. The distortion of what we see online is undoubtably a catalyst for imposter syndrome, but we can take a sensible step back and look at things through a realistic lens. Comparison truly can be the thief of joy if you let it.

Coping strategies

The good news is, it’s not all doom and gloom and there are strategies we can employ to handle our mischievous minds. As STEM professionals, sometimes we become isolated in our work, deeply ingrained in fixing a problem and not realising there are countless others to share your thoughts and feelings with. This is something I pushed myself to do and as I reached out to the wider community of trainee scientists, I quickly realised that I wasn’t alone. Almost everyone I had spoken to had shared a similar sentiment of having experienced imposter syndrome to some extent.

It is important to remember that imposter syndrome is something that has been a universal experience for a very long time. It is certainly not a feeling that is exclusive to those in the early stages of their career as I surprisingly found out having networked with senior figures in the STEM community. My supervisor – a consultant clinical scientist with over 40 years of experience still experiences imposter syndrome as he tackles new challenges in the ever-evolving world of science.

I have found that keeping a journal has been incredibly beneficial in logging my achievements -whether personal or career-related. Having a record of successes, no matter how small, serves as a tangible reminder that progress is being made, even when self-doubt tries to convince me otherwise.

But the most effective tool I’ve discovered is something I’m still learning myself - self-compassion instead of self-criticism. It’s easy to be too hard on yourself, especially in STEM, where learning new things daily is the norm. The pressure to always have the right answers can make mistakes feel like failures rather than part of the learning process. But the reality is that growth comes from pushing through discomfort, not from perfection. Learning to extend yourself the same kindness you would offer a friend can make a world of difference in battling imposter syndrome.

Reframing its meaning

If you have experienced imposter syndrome I do have some good news for you – you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in some way and challenging yourself. That is something to be proud of and its important to realise that experiencing imposter syndrome can sometimes simply be a mandatory byproduct of self-growth. You are exactly where you need to be.

Even the greatest of minds can experience imposter syndrome. Albert Einstein himself once remarked:

 So, remember, you’re not alone in this struggle.

When to seek help

While imposter syndrome is something that a large majority of people experience, you should know when to seek help. If it manifests into something much more than occasional self-doubt, there is no shame in reaching out for help. Speaking to trusted friends or family about how you’re feeling is crucial to keep your mind in the right place. A qualified therapist will be well equipped to help you deal with imposter syndrome and keep you grounded. There are a wealth of online resources that can be used to help you; such as articles, self-help guides, and professional development communities – including the team here at Scientia News who offer strategies to build confidence and reframe negative thinking.

Acknowledging imposter syndrome is the first step, but learning to challenge it is what truly allows you to move forward. And the next time you begin to doubt yourself, take a step back and think about your achievements and how they themselves were born from the ashes of self-doubt.

Written by Jaspreet Mann

Related articles: My role as a clinical computer scientist / Mental health strategies / Mental health in South Asian communities

REFERENCES

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Ling, Ashley. “3 Ways to Get Past Imposter Syndrome.” Thir.St, 13 Aug. 2024, https://thirst.sg/3-ways-to-get-past-imposter-syndrome/.