Feeling like an imposter among seasoned programmers?
When surrounded by experienced programmers, it's easy to feel like an imposter. Here's how to build your confidence:
- Embrace your unique perspective and contributions, acknowledging that diversity in thought leads to innovation.
- Seek mentorship or pair programming opportunities to learn from others and validate your skills.
- Set small, achievable goals to track progress and celebrate victories, however minor they may seem.
How do you overcome feelings of imposter syndrome? Share your strategies.
Feeling like an imposter among seasoned programmers?
When surrounded by experienced programmers, it's easy to feel like an imposter. Here's how to build your confidence:
- Embrace your unique perspective and contributions, acknowledging that diversity in thought leads to innovation.
- Seek mentorship or pair programming opportunities to learn from others and validate your skills.
- Set small, achievable goals to track progress and celebrate victories, however minor they may seem.
How do you overcome feelings of imposter syndrome? Share your strategies.
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I’ve felt imposter syndrome too, especially early in my career. I worked with programmers who seemed to know everything backend, frontend, DevOps, you name it. Sometimes, they’d use terms I didn’t even recognize. One habit that helped me grow was keeping a notebook. I’d jot down terms or concepts I didn’t understand during meetings, research them later, and follow up with colleagues for clarity. Over time, this habit gave me topics to discuss with seniors and improved my understanding. It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about staying curious and open to learning.
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Sometimes, it’s easy to feel like an impostor in programming, especially with the rapid development of new technologies. Even after nearly 25 years in fields like web, mobile, and embedded systems, and holding a PhD in computing, I still encounter new concepts—like CI/CD techniques—that I need to improve. Yet, my experience allows me to analyze problems and identify effective solutions. I combat impostor feelings by recognizing my strengths and mastering the fundamentals. If I’m not up to speed on a newly emerged technology, I simply take time to study and stay current.
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First- accept your not Know everything, And then start learning not to feel afraid of everyone . You do not know just start asking do not make you shy ,you're not asking can nobody help you ,So take the first step .
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Teaching others is an underrated confidence-booster. Whether it’s walking a newbie through some basic syntax or writing how-to guides, explaining concepts out loud made me realize I knew more than I gave myself credit for. It also strengthened my understanding of the fundamentals, which chipped away at my imposter feelings step by step.
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There are two ways to think about it. You can either be inspired by talented people at work and learn from them, or you can focus on improving your basic skills, which are very important for your career. Everything else is just a skill you can pick up, but the effort you put into learning is what really matters.
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