Immigrants and imposter syndrome

I remember it like yesterday, sending my resume’ to a company in which I really wanted to work. I still had a lot of questions even after we moved. Was this a good move? Was this good timing? Will I be able to get a job? Will I need to start over, like so many migrants before me? Will it be a good experience? Oh, why did I leave my job that I had been in for so many years? I could figurately do that job with my eyes closed. At work, I was comfortable, and the job was challenging but rewarding. Working in education has been my life purpose and whichever level of the educational ladder students are at, there is no greater feeling than knowing that you contributed, even in a small way to their achievement.

As immigrants, it is very easy to get overwhelmed and overcome with doubt about one’s ability to function in the new environment. We question whether what we know will really help us in the new locale. Here are some things that an individual can do to ease from feeling like an imposter – not really belonging – to being a full-fledged professional – even expert.

Acknowledge the feeling

It is okay to have a bit of self-doubt. Everything new takes time. Give yourself time and grace to overcome your inhibitions. Acknowledging one’s feelings doesn’t mean that they are correct. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, they just are. Think of it like a thermometer. The thermometer tells whether one’s temperature can be classified as a fever or not. Thermometers cannot be used to treat a fever. They merely provide information that you, the patient, will use to treat the condition. It tells you what is, but not what to do. In a similar fashion, our feelings tell us what is.

Overcome self-doubt

After you have acknowledged the feeling, think of ways that you can overcome the feeling of inadequacy. Go back to the beginning and think of your reason for applying for the job. The fact that you applied, went through rounds of interviews, and was offered the job, is the first sign that you belong. If you did not have something that the company wanted, they would not have hired you for the position. Think of the experiences you have had so far, even unrelated experiences, such as speaking before an audience for the first time. At the time, I know you wished the ground would open and swallow you, but you made it through. Persons may have come up to you afterward and thanked you for sharing your perspective with them. I bet you felt that whatever feeling you had prior to speaking, it was well worth it now.

Practice makes Perfect

Everything gets better with practice. The more you practice your craft, the better you get at it. Think of different ways to approach an issue. How can I do this better? What have I learnt so far? How can I complete this in less time, with less energy? By brainstorming ways to tackle the problem, your brain will come up with solutions, some of which will be useful. Even if the solution is not feasible for that particular situation, you would have learnt what works and what doesn’t.

Document your Journey

Do not treat your brain like a sponge, expecting it to remember every little detail. Document your journey in a journal, where you can identify the steps involved in your journey. Identify the lessons that you have learnt. In a few months or years, when you review the journal entry, you can have a good laugh. Looking back, I bet you will say, “is this what I was so worried about?”

Celebrate Small Wins

It will be impossible for you to get everything right from the get-go. Take time out to celebrate your small – even minute achievements. You are building your knowledge muscle which will be needed for heavy lifting later on. Go ahead, and give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it.

Dress the part

Lastly, dress the part for the position for which you are aiming. Early in my career, a mentor said that we should always dress for the position for which we aspire. Our dress will automatically give us some much-needed confidence. Wear clothes that fit well, and that look good on you.

In summary, starting anything new will always bring feelings of apprehension and self-doubt. Reviewing our reason for immigrating, acknowledging our feelings, practicing our craft, and celebrating small wins will help us conquer imposter syndrome. As Susan Jeffers said, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Finally, you can beat imposter syndrome.

*Stock image provided by Pixabay