When will I be ‘found out?!’ The joys of imposter syndrome…

So today was my last day of teaching for my Masters in Health Policy Imperial College London and I’ve found it incredible to discover how much most of the women on the course have in common.

We all feel like permanent fraudsters in our career!

I have lived my professional life afraid that one day someone will realise that I don’t belong there, that I’m not good enough and don’t know enough. I honestly believed it was only me.

But time and again, women have told me how they have felt the same. Even for having a place on a paid course…?!

Then I discovered this is actually a ‘thing.’

Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon where people, and usually females (though not always) feel in fear of being ‘found out’ or ‘exposed’ for not being worthy of their place in work.

These people are usually perfectionists, people afraid to ask for help, people who feel guilt for not working constantly, people who feel they don’t measure up to colleagues and people who feel they should know everything (basically wishing they were a natural genius.)

I’ve loved the course so far, and despite my complete and utter lack of political knowledge, am trying to feel confident that we all deserve to be there, and anywhere else our careers take us.

Now just to write 20 000 words to graduate!

#impostersyndrome #life #stmaryshospital #health #wellbeing