Credit: UX Magazine, 2022
In the world of public relations, a profession that can often feel like a whirlwind of accolades and grand titles, it's easy to become lost in the noise and start questioning your own abilities and accomplishments. As a college student gearing up to break into the PR industry, it’s crucial to address feelings of inadequacy while remembering that there’s ample time to improve and leave your mark. Don't allow the fear of not measuring up hold you back from pursuing your career goals.
Understanding Impostor Syndrome
Credit: Errant Science, 2016
Imposter syndrome is the internal feeling that, despite your skills and achievements, you aren’t worthy of success. It can manifest in various ways, such as:
Being sensitive to constructive criticism.
Feeling hesitant to apply for leadership roles.
Finding it difficult to accept compliments on your success.
Attributing your success to external factors.
Downplaying your expertise in areas where you are knowledgeable.
Adopting a perfectionist mentality.
These are just a few symptoms of imposter syndrome. To fully comprehend and start coping with it, it’s beneficial to understand its different forms.
The 5 Types of Impostor Syndrome
Credit: EduAdvisor, 2022
According to Dr. Valerie Young, an expert on imposter syndrome, there are 5 distinctive types:
The Perfectionist: This individual fixates heavily on the process of things, experiencing frustration over minor flaws or irregularities in their work. Anything less than perfection is unacceptable to them.
The Expert: Similar to the perfectionist, this person focuses on learning and retaining as much information as possible. They feel shame and frustration when they are not deemed the "expert" in a given task.
The Soloist:Â Preferring independence, this individual finds satisfaction in being the sole achiever of a task. Asking for help is seen as failure.
The Natural Genius: Success for this person lies in the speed and ease with which they complete tasks. They struggle with the learning process, equating adequacy with knowing everything.
The Superhuman: This individual strives to excel in multiple roles simultaneously. Failure, for them, is falling short in any of these roles.
Can you identify with one or more of these forms of impostor syndrome? If so, you are not alone. Acknowledging your experience with impostor syndrome is the crucial first step needed to cope and heal.
Strategies for Combating Impostor Syndrome
Credit: Sarah Wells Coaching
As someone on my own journey of overcoming impostor syndrome, here are some useful habits I've adopted along the way:
Daily Journaling and Self-Reflection: Take time each day to reflect on your accomplishments, highlighting both the positives and negatives. Avoid solely focusing on what went wrong. I highly recommend giving this a shot—especially if you struggle to talk about yourself and your strengths/accomplishments.
Having an Accountability Buddy: Seek a trusted friend or mentor to discuss your doubts and gain an external perspective.
Setting Achievable Goals: Avoid overcommitting yourself by mapping out realistic short-term and long-term goals. Don’t overwhelm yourself with unrealistic expectations.
Pro-Tip: When making these goals, step outside of yourself and pretend you’re assigning these tasks to someone you care about. Always factor human elements into consideration. You wouldn’t give someone you care about an outrageous amount of tasks that keep them from spending time with their loved ones—so why should you do that to yourself?
Practicing Self-Compassion and a Growth Mindset:Â Celebrate your wins and view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Show yourself the same compassion you offer to others.
As a college student and human being, comparison is inevitable. It’s natural to aspire to grow, but it’s equally important to acknowledge your strengths, accomplishments, and any unhealthy habits that could keep you from unlocking your full potential.
Click here for more helpful resources on combating imposter syndrome.