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Impostor Syndrome in Programming

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Re: Impostor Syndrome in Programming

#21

Post by kfarr »

eropple wrote: post #17
polishdude20 wrote: post #15

I get an imposter feeling not because I feel I know nothing but because I feel like the tech world is closing its gates to me in particular. When I am told by my software developer friends how quickly I've learned in the last year and when I get lots of users using my projects that reinforces the idea that I would be a great developer. But then when I apply for jobs and just keep getting rejection after rejection, it…

Lots of users using your projects, and this is a little perplexing but true, is not the most indicative thing with regards to being a good or great software developer in industry. One of the unfortunate realities of our industry is that we have allowed "developers" to, not always but quite often, be reduced to checkbox-checking, acceptance-criteria-filling bolt turners. It is Taylorism[0] writ large, and while scient…

I agree and disagree with this. I agree that in many environments their definition of a "great software developer" is a bolt turner.

However I think that in many other environments, especially early stage, a "great software developer" is someone that makes sure the user's problems are met and that is definitely measured by usage.

Re: Impostor Syndrome in Programming

#22

Post by eropple »

kfarr wrote: post #21
eropple wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lots of users using your projects, and this is a little perplexing but true, is not the most indicative thing with regards to being a good or great software developer in industry. One of the unfortunate realities of our industry is that we have allowed "developers" to, not always but quite often, be reduced to checkbox-checking, acceptance-criteria-filling bolt turners. It is Taylorism[0] writ large, and while scient…

I agree and disagree with this. I agree that in many environments their definition of a "great software developer" is a bolt turner. However I think that in many other environments, especially early stage, a "great software developer" is someone that makes sure the user's problems are met and that is definitely measured by usage.

These places certainly still exist! I'm fortunate to work in one. But they're also more rare and the requirements to land those jobs tend to be more stringent. The OP sounds like a relatively junior developer, albeit a highly motivated one; that's often a tough fit for such roles.

Re: Impostor Syndrome in Programming

#26

Post by dfxm12 »

commandlinefan wrote: post #19

I don't know if I should be worried or not because I've never felt like an "impostor": I'm sure I know what I'm doing, because I spent a lot of time making sure I understand everything from the ground up, and working form first-principles to more complicated topics. If it's on a computer, I can figure out how it works because I know how computers work. What I do fear is that everybody else is judging me when I don't…

I don't know if I should be worried or not because I've never felt like an "impostor"

You don't need to be worried.

What I do fear is that everybody else is judging me when I don't know the answer immediately, without spending any time researching, to every question.

I think there's little to fear here. Most people's judgement of you doesn't matter that much. Hopefully you have a good enough relationship with the rest that you can communicate realistic expectations with them.

But I find myself surrounded be people who imply that it should take about a half hour to read everything...

I think this comes down to communication as well. Are they implying this? Are you inferring this? And, on the other hand, do these people really know how long it should take? In my experience, they often don't.

Re: Impostor Syndrome in Programming

#27

Post by karatestomp »

polishdude20 wrote: post #15

I get an imposter feeling not because I feel I know nothing but because I feel like the tech world is closing its gates to me in particular. When I am told by my software developer friends how quickly I've learned in the last year and when I get lots of users using my projects that reinforces the idea that I would be a great developer. But then when I apply for jobs and just keep getting rejection after rejection, it…

Understanding tech but also how to build things people want, and get them to use them, is more valuable (higher status, better pay, and especially a better pay ceiling) than knowing how to write code at most companies that aren't FAANG and such, or finance. So, most of the software world. Maybe look at product management?

Re: Impostor Syndrome in Programming

#29

Post by ver_ture »

munchbunny wrote: post #13
elliekelly wrote: post #3

Sometimes I wonder how much of imposter syndrome comes from “knowing” something but being unable to clearly articulate what you know and the underlying information to others. Like the old exercise where you have to write instructions for making PB&J. I know how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but when I have to explain it, clearly, and in minute detail I’m forced to acknowledge the gaps - the steps my brai…

Like the old exercise where you have to write instructions for making PB&J. I know how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but when I have to explain it, clearly, and in minute detail I’m forced to acknowledge the gaps - the steps my brain just skips over and takes as a given. But PB&J is easy so even when I might struggle with articulating the mechanics of it to someone else I don’t doubt my ability. That cha…

Some information such as the making of a sandwich, is not conductive to be conveyed through text. So the correct answer for me would be, "I would use a different medium to convey the info, like video."

Re: Impostor Syndrome in Programming

#30

Post by dehrmann »

decompiled_dev wrote: post #10
elliekelly wrote: post #3

Sometimes I wonder how much of imposter syndrome comes from “knowing” something but being unable to clearly articulate what you know and the underlying information to others. Like the old exercise where you have to write instructions for making PB&J. I know how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but when I have to explain it, clearly, and in minute detail I’m forced to acknowledge the gaps - the steps my brai…

I think actually teaching people is a great way of getting mastery at something. If you teach people and they get good results you can be confidant you know enough about the subject.

I agree, but it's something that under-emphasized in education.
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