Yes, You Belong Here

Ever felt like everyone around you at work/school is smarter than you? Do your efforts always seem to pale in comparison to those of your peers? Do you feel like you should just give up and move on to another profession? You may be suffering from impostor syndrome. More and more developers are falling victim to impostor syndrome as they participate in social media and open source software development. You may already be suffering from it or know someone who is. Learn what impostor syndrome is, what the symptoms are, why it's important to know about it and steps you can take to overcome it.

Transcript

1. Utah Code Camp Spring 2014 Bressain Dinkelman yes, you belong here
2. who am i? Bressain Dinkelman www.dinkelburt.com @dinkelburt +BressainDinkelman
3. DISCLAIMER
4. DISCLAIMER I am not a psychologist
5. DISCLAIMER Use at your own risk
6. why are ! ! here? YOU
7. impostor syndrome? What is
8. how can i help myself and others?
9. Awareness Spread
10. what is impostor syndrome?
11. "[it's] a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments […] those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved"
12. FAILURE FAILURE SUCCESS SUCCESS SUCCESS SUCCESS FAILURE SUCCESS SUCCESS SUCCESS SUCCESS
13. “i got lucky”
14. “i'm not smart”
15. “i'm not a good developer”
16. “i'm a phony”
17. “i don't belong here”
19. what's <code> got to do with it?
20. 50% social
21. what makes us so susceptible?
22. impostor syndrome is an ! ! problem intellectual field
23. we praise & celebrate intelligent developers!
24. “We are looking for a rockstar front-end developer to join our team.” “Come work with a team of AlphaGeeks, Git Ninjas, and Linux Jedis!” “…looking for a JavaScript and jQuery guru…” “Startup Superhero/ Ninja Internship”
25. we surround ourselves with smart people
26. open source
27. social media
28. mindset
29. how doesimpostor affect developers? syndrome
30. Afraid to speak upor share ideas
31. no contribute desire to
32. afraid to apply to new jobs
33. burnout Due To Keeping up
34. thanks bressain, now i'm sad
35. overcoming impostor syndrome
36. first step: education
37. great resources Julie Pagano talk Ruby Rogues podcast Scott Hanselman post
38. Acknowledge Some important truths
39. you ! ! at evaluating you SUCK
40. impostor syndrome may never fully go away
41. pro crasti nation bad tech skills !=
42. Create a support system
43. avoid negative people
44. reconnect with spiritual side your
45. step away from the trees
46. stop & acknowledge real success
47. learn don't from Failure dwell on it
48. everything ! experiment is an
49. watch the self-deprecating jokes
50. your are human intellectual heroes
51. measure yourself against yourself
52. cliché phrase incoming:
53. fake it make it ’til you
54. do the things holding you back That are
55. track measurable progress x x
56. help others
57. pretty sure i don't have impostor syndrome
58. How Do I someone has know impostor syndrome?
59. regularly Skills or Experiences Disclaimsor Understatestheir
60. not willing for to take credit roles in projects
61. self- deprecating humor
62. what things can i actually do to help?
63. hacker school user's manual
64. No feigning surprise No “well actually” No backseat driving No subtle sexism or other isms
65. recognize success and call out
66. give start permissionto
67. don't they need to avoid be the Negative Person
68. be proactive when offering help
69. with Great Power great responsibility comes
70. we're all impostors to some degree (and that’s OK)
71. move burning out Forwardwithout
72. please talk about this
73. help yourself
74. help others
75. do i belong here?
76. YES!
77. questions?
78. • It’s Dangerous to Go Alone: Battling the Invisible Monsters in Tech - Julie Pagano • http://juliepagano.com/blog/2013/11/02/it-s-dangerous-to-go-alone-battling- the-invisible-monsters-in-tech/ • I’m a Phony. Are You? - Scott Hanselman • http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ImAPhonyAreYou.aspx • Impostor Syndrome with Tim Chevalier - Ruby Rogues Podcast • http://rubyrogues.com/107-rr-impostor-syndrome-with-tim-chevalier/ • Impostor syndrome - Geek Feminism Wiki • http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Impostor_syndrome • Hacker School User’s Manual - Social rules • https://www.hackerschool.com/manual#sec-environment !78