22 years and still faking it...

@robbiethegeek

Impostor Syndrome

@robbiethegeek

Before we get started let's take a moment to talk about

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Impostor Syndrome

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@robbiethegeek

What is impostor syndrome?

... referring to high-achieving individuals marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Despite external evidence of their competence, those exhibiting the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be. Some studies suggest that impostor syndrome is particularly common among high-achieving women

Impostor syndrome in my life?

Staying at a job that is boring, tedious, or...

soul-sucking​

 

@robbiethegeek

Impostor syndrome in my life? (cont'd)

Worry folks will find out I am a fraud because I'm...

faking it.

@robbiethegeek

My jobs

New York State - Department of Social Services  1996 - 2000

New York City - Human Resources Administration 2000 - 2008

Sony Music  2008 - 2010

Zagat Survey 2010 - 2011

Google 2011 - 2014

Johnson & Johnson  2014

IDT Telecommunications  2014 - 2015

Phase2 Technology  2015 - 2016

United States Digital Service - Department of Veterans Affairs  2016-present

@robbiethegeek

Jobs that were soul sucking

@robbiethegeek

New York State - Department of Social Services  1996 - 2000

New York City - Human Resources Administration ​ 2000 - 2008

Sony Music  2008 - 2010

Zagat Survey ​ 2010 - 2011

Google ​ 2011 - 2014

Johnson & Johnson  2014

IDT Telecommunications  2014 - 2015

Phase2 Technology  2015 - 2016

United States Digital Service - Department of Veterans Affairs  2016-present

Jobs where I was faking it

@robbiethegeek

New York State - Department of Social Services  1996 - 2000

New York City - Human Resources Administration ​ 2000 - 2008

Sony Music  2008 - 2010

Zagat Survey 2010 - 2011

Google 2011 - 2014

Johnson & Johnson  2014

IDT Telecommunications  2014 - 2015

Phase2 Technology  2015 - 2016

United States Digital Service - Department of Veterans Affairs  2016-present

Languages I've written professionally

Perl

PHP

Javascript

SQL

C++

Python

Ruby

@robbiethegeek

Languages I feel I am an expert in

Perl

PHP

Javascript

SQL

C++

Python

Ruby

@robbiethegeek

Frameworks I've used professionally

Drupal

Angular.JS

Django

Ruby on Rails

Node.js

React.js

@robbiethegeek

Frameworks I feel I am an expert in

Drupal (5.x & 6.x)

Angular.JS (1.x maybe)

Django

Ruby on Rails

Node.js

React.js

@robbiethegeek

Communities I've been part of

Drupal NYC

Angular NYC

NYC.rb

Brooklyn.js

NYC.js

NodeDC

Alexandria Code & Coffee

DC RUG

Arlington Ruby

@robbiethegeek

Communities that I've been an organizer

Drupal NYC

Angular NYC

NYC.rb

Brooklyn.js

NYC.js

NodeDC

Alexandria Code & Coffee

DC RUG

Arlington Ruby

@robbiethegeek

Evolve (impostor syndrome coping strategy)

  • Stay abreast of current trends
    • listen to podcasts
    • read blogs
    • follow thought leaders on social media...
  • Stay on target, learn one new skill at time
    • technology
    • framework
    • language
@robbiethegeek

Evolve (impostor syndrome coping strategy)

  • Become a part of communities
    • go to meetups
    • attend conferences
    • attend social networking events
  • Fake it in public
    • host a lunch and learn
    • present at meetups
    • contribute at conferences
    • become an organizer
@robbiethegeek

Thanks & Goodnight

My name is Robbie Holmes

robbiethegeek everywhere on the interwebs

http://robbiethegeek.com

I work at the Department of Veterans Affairs for the United States Digital Service

@robbiethegeek

Impostor Syndrome

By Robbie Holmes

Impostor Syndrome

A talk about my path of life long imposter syndrome

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