1. Moving Past Imposter Syndrome
Wendy Pastrick

2. Who? Technical professional using Microsoft SQL Server since 2000
Several years of consulting experience
Microsoft MVP since 2013
Sr. Database Performance Engineer at Salesforce
PASS Board of Directors since 2013

3. Imposter Syndrome
A term defining a concept describing high-achieving individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". 

4. Self Doubt
Impostor syndrome often is borne out of constantly facing a distorted reality, one in which your abilities are constantly questioned while those around you bluster in self-confidence sheltered by ignorance.

5. Alicia Liu

6. Misrepresentation Sometimes you just really don’t know something
But, you are able to learn it or find an answer
Confidence issues
Over confidence can be just as damaging as lack of confidence
Alicia Liu

7. What if… Myth of Meritocracy Environmental Factors
It doesn’t matter what you do, it will never be good enough
You will not succeed
Others will take the credit
Environmental Factors
Ignoring contributions or suggestions
Over compensating with extra hours of work
Cate Huston:
“What we call imposter syndrome often reflects the reality of an environment that tells marginalized groups that we shouldn’t be confident, that our skills aren’t enough, that we won’t succeed—and when we do, our accomplishments won’t even be attributed to us. Yet imposter syndrome is treated as a personal problem to be overcome, a distortion in processing rather than a realistic reflection of the hostility, discrimination, and stereotyping that pervades tech culture.”
Alexis Hancock: a black woman in tech
“It’s a badge of honor to stay up doing midnight releases and drink absurd amounts of coffee. Portraying the image of the burdened genius is way more accepted than admitting that you are burnt out from settling bugs all day and that you don’t want to look at code when you get home. With the cloud of imposter syndrome hovering over me, I convinced myself that I did not work hard enough to deserve a moment to relax. Instead of putting the laptop down, I was focused on learning everything I could in my free time. I began to suffer from more frequent anxiety attacks, weight gain, and an overall clouded state of mind.”

8. Cate Hudson
“What we call imposter syndrome often reflects the reality of an environment that tells marginalized groups that we shouldn’t be confident, that our skills aren’t enough, that we won’t succeed—and when we do, our accomplishments won’t even be attributed to us. Yet imposter syndrome is treated as a personal problem to be overcome, a distortion in processing rather than a realistic reflection of the hostility, discrimination, and stereotyping that pervades tech culture.”

9. Robert Weiss, LCSW
“That’s one of the most disturbing things about gaslighting, that even incredibly intelligent and emotionally healthy people are vulnerable.”

10. External Factors  

11. Is It Me? Discrimination Racism Sexism Marginalized Oppression
Marginalized : treat a person, group or concept as insignificant or peripheral
Discrimination: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
Sexism: prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.
Oppression: the state of being subject to unjust treatment or control.

12. Cause and Effect
Sometimes, it’s not intentional yet the effect is all the same.

13. Yes, You Should Be Having Fun

14. Reality

15. Self Doubt
Alicia Liu

16. Example
“Oh the irony. Haven't written a blog post in months because I think much of this SQL on Linux stuff is too basic, and then I run across all of you newcomers and your numerous posts on the topic. How to log in, how to update, how to check running processes! Churn 'em out many and often! 10,000 hits per day versus my measly sum  yes I'm jealous and wish I stopped being so fastidious about content and just put it out!”

17. and Another
Brand new MVP upon congratulations

18. Move Forward

19. Read More
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