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Discussion on: Doing my bit to tackle imposter syndrome

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catmcgeecode profile image
Cat McGee • Edited

I think part of the reason it's such a big issue in tech could be that we have to look up so many things every day. We always need help with something, and I'm not sure if that's the same with other industries. Because we ask for so much help, we see all these other amazing developers all the time and we only see the side of that can help us.

I also think tech is so glorified and we feel like we need to be building million dollar software all the time. And we constantly see all these people who do. Tech people are seen as logical coders, but also as creative problem solvers, unlike builders who tend to follow strict blueprints.

It could also be the abstraction like you said. Most of the time, our output isn't something we can physically show people. Maybe that's why people love to go into web development. If I set up a database and an API, it took SO MUCH WORK, but it's not something I can show off to anyone who isn't in tech.

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leob profile image
leob

Yeah something like that :-) like I said, a plumber or a carpenter know their skill and they're sure about it, however it seems we are rarely completely sure of anything, insights change all the time, etc

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bloodgain profile image
Cliff

That's a good point. Although it has also created a community that welcomes asking others for help and input, and usually without judgement, even if it seems like a pretty basic question coming from someone with experience. See: StackOverflow. You'd think that would be a self-resolving dichotomy.

You've also made me realize that this is also why people in tech are often unafraid to tackle other projects outside tech that they have no experience with. We're used to being able to look up how to do something or ask someone. This is bleeding over into the general population now, of course, but it still seems most prevalent with tech workers. My father was always the same way -- before the Internet was much of a thing -- but back then it was much more uncommon to be a DIYer.

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j_scharlach profile image
Joel Scharlach • Edited

Thanks for writing this article. I am a relative newbie to coding, but have jumped with both feet into the deep end. I have almost finished my first app. Honestly I am rather nervous about just showing it to close family and friends first. I mean I was never a computer guy growing up and because of that and that I am now writing code....I totally feel like an imposter. It is so very reassuring that even the most seasoned veterans can feel this way. Again, thanks so much for writing this article. It has given me that little bit extra confidence that if the app works, does what it is supposed to do. Then I am not an imposter but a programmer.