You know becoming a front end web developer and studying my craft and learning my primary languages, HTML, CSS, and Javascript, I was never aware of the term that seems to be catching traction in the sphere of web development. Especially for beginning and junior developers.
Ironically I never knew of the term until I began listening to podcasts and it was mentioned due to the fact junior developers are hired into a new positions and they feel somewhat unqualified to be in the position by being surrounded by other developers who have been in the field for several years.
Honestly some may call me crazy but I, for lack of better terms, do not believe in the idea imposter syndrome. In a sense it just reminds me of disease that was made up like a placebo effect.
Now I’m not knocking the fact of the feeling of not being prepared or unqualified for a position, but I don’t want to place myself in a category as if I am plagued with some disease. The feeling of not being prepared and unqualified is real but it does not mean I have imposter syndrome. I think it really boils down to fear.
So in this article I wanted to speak on how I approached this topic and really overlooked and overcame this idea.
A Little Background
Before I begin I just want to dive in and give a little background on why my perception has changed now that I am a front end developer and continue to develop my skills.
When I first entered the world of the web, I first got my start in web design with WordPress. Now I was a beginner but I knew the basics of what I needed to do get around in the platform, or so I thought lol. I look back and laugh at how I really designed websites, oh how I’ve grown.
So when I was in the beginner phase of web design, others would tell me to apply for jobs in the field, but when I looked up jobs and saw the the responsibilities and requirements, fear crept in and the feeling of unqualification definitely came rearing its head and convinced me that I was nowhere ready for those positions.
Sad to say I let that fear hinder me from pursuing a career in web design/web development. Even though I did not apply for a job in the tech field I would still dabble here and there in WordPress either helping friends or a few clients.
Then something happened as years passed and I did some self assessment of my life. Honestly I wasn’t satisfied where my life was headed as a warehouse coordinator when I knew I was capable of much more.
Thus I settled in my mind and made a decision I’m going to take this web seriously and go all in. This lead me to wanting to learn the backend of websites and truly figure out how they work. It’s funny because something happened as I began learning and implementing what I learned to build custom coded sites. My confidence grew. Especially when I had to work on projects for clients.
Disclaimer: If you didn’t know being ready for anything is not always 100% but you can prepare in the best way you can so you have built up your confidence. Interviews haven’t really changed over the years so there are many resources that can help prepare you from the type of questions to mock interviews.
I did this preparation too and once my confidence grew it lead me to start looking how to get into the tech field in order for me to live up to my potential and find happiness in my work.
Now
Once my mindset changed I began to look at job searches differently. Side note team treehouse was a great help since they have tracks that help you to learn the technologies that jobs are looking for. Furthermore, I began looking up what jobs where looking for, and I tell you no lie as I read the descriptions and instead of being intimidated by what they wanted I looked I said to myself “Oh I can do that” and “Oh I know how to do that”.
This leads to my next point in when it comes to job skills and experience. I believe what jobs really want to know is if you have knowledge on the things they’re requesting it now gives you the understanding that knowledge leads to experience if your creating and building projects to show your experience.
Check out this article on what I believe the difference between experience and inexperience. Click here
Now with a determined mind and focus in knowing what jobs are looking for. I was able to conduct my research and then thoroughly prepare my self everyday in ways to not only build my skills but my confidence which is what can really go a long way in the interview process.
When you know your stuff and confident in the skills that you have to offer a company, imposter syndrome takes a seat on the back burner.
Thats how I think now and would advise anyone who may be having trouble overcoming this idea.
This is what I have to say especially if your hired by a company not only are you qualified, but they saw something in you that qualifies you in order for them to hire you.
In fact, I had the revelation one day in the middle of coding a website. I stopped looked at what I was doing and said “I’m coding a website, I’m a front end web developer.” It was at the point I accepted and knew that I was now and ever will be a front end web developer. It wasn’t the job position that dictated who I was, but my skills. Don’t get me wrong the pay is good and solidifies the skills but before I even get my next job I am a front end web developer and proud of it…PERIOD.
So if you gain anything from this post I would say if your struggling with the idea of imposter syndrome, take some time and remind yourself of what you can do and that your a front end web developer and whatever developer you are striving to be.
I hope this helps.
I leave with this quote from Will Smith “Make a choice! You just decide, what its gonna be, who you gonna be, how your gonna do it. Just decide!” Words I live by and believe has changed my life. So once you decide what you want commit to your decision and work on your commitment everyday in some way.