Developer Imposter Syndrome.

Have you ever felt shit for not knowing about all the technologies that your developer colleagues or seniors talk about? Have you ever felt that you are not qualified for the job that you are in or planning to apply for? Well, then it can be “Imposter Syndrome” . If you are in the tech industry then you might have heard about it.

For those who don't know, imposter syndrome is the belief that you're not good enough or qualified enough to do your job, despite evidence to the contrary. Everyone has experienced these emotions at some point in their life, whether personal or professional—and not just within software development. While this syndrome can affect anyone, it is most common among people working in the technology industry.

Why is it so prevalent among developers?

Nature of the industry

Because of the nature of the tech industry, software developers are susceptible to imposter syndrome. With the constant advancements and innovations in technology, no software developer can know everything. Instead of comprehending the task's impossibility, they become stressed and perplexed by new technology or coding. As a result, rather than accepting that it can happen to anyone, they develop feelings of self-doubt and fear. It leads them to believe that their boss and coworkers will eventually discover that they are not good enough.

Fear that their technology will become obsolete in the future

What adds to the misery of developer imposter syndrome is that, understandably, some technologies will become obsolete sooner or later. For example, mobile software is updated nearly every year. Instead of understanding that software development is a vast and ever-changing learning environment in which new ideas replace old ones, developers interpret it differently and suffer from imposter syndrome. 

Media’s Unrealistic Perception

Another factor that contributes to impostor syndrome in software developers is the media's unrealistic perception of the tech industry. Software, in particular, receives a lot of attention and glory in the media. Given how frequently new tech startups are covered in the media, and how their founders are portrayed as brilliant and uniquely creative, it's no surprise that so many people believe they will never be able to make it as a top-tier developer. Software development has also developed a myth that only the most brilliant minds can understand it. While this was once true, programming languages and tools have advanced significantly, making programming much easier and more approachable.

How to get past it?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, some tips that may help include:

•  Acknowledge your fears and doubts. Recognizing that you have imposter syndrome can be the first step in overcoming it. 
• Talk to someone you trust about your feelings. This can help you to realize that you are not alone in your experience. 
• Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have imposter syndrome, you may tend to believe that your successes are due to luck or that you are not good enough. Try to counter these thoughts with evidence from your past achievements. 
• Focus on your strengths. Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, focus on what you do well. This can help you to build confidence in your abilities. 
• Set realistic goals. Don't try to achieve perfection. Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

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