Many candidates earning their Master's, Ph.D. or professional doctorate are no stranger to imposter syndrome, the common belief resulting in an individual doubting their worth or validity of accomplishments. Imposter syndrome is not limited to those going through their doctoral process, but can also touch upon those in professional and everyday life.
Many applicants pursuing advanced degrees such as a Master's, Ph.D., or professional doctorate are familiar with imposter syndrome, which is a frequent notion that leads individuals to doubt their own worth or the validity of their accomplishments. Imposter syndrome extends beyond individuals in the midst of their PhD journey and can also affect those in professional and everyday contexts. Zach Reeves-Burton states in his article, Grad15: Talking about imposter syndrome, that imposter syndrome affects more than 70% of graduate students during their academic career, and a significant number of these students choose not to seek help or share their experiences.
While experiencing imposter syndrome may create a sense of isolation, it is crucial to acknowledge that this phenomenon impacts several candidates at various phases of their doctorate journey. Imposter syndrome can cause individuals to have feelings of unworthiness and doubt, despite their diligent efforts, leading them to question their right to be in their current position or to get the prizes they have earned. James Hayton, who holds a Ph.D., discusses his experience with imposter syndrome.
According to Hayton (2017), there were instances during their PhD that they experienced a sense of inadequacy and questioned their presence. Several of the other students in the research group possessed exceptional intelligence, and although I was grappling to obtain even the most basic outcomes, they were consistently producing articles and showcasing their work at global conferences. A significant number of individuals had completed their undergraduate studies at the same institution, so their supervisors were familiar with the candidates they were selecting. However, I had relocated from Sheffield to Nottingham and consistently harboured a minor apprehension that I had deceived my way into the program and would eventually be exposed.
Imposter syndrome often revolves around the fear of being exposed as unqualified, despite the individual's diligent efforts and extensive research. To address this mindset, one can adopt a more optimistic perspective that fosters self-empathy rather than dread and hatred. According to Hayton (2017), considering oneself as a novice shifts the focus from questioning one's competence to exploring ways to improve. Embracing the mindset of a beginner involves being genuinely open and happy about acknowledging your inadequacies. This mindset allows you to freely ask questions, make mistakes, and acquire knowledge. This is a significantly more optimistic perspective.
Transitioning from the "imposter mindset" to a "beginner mindset" creates space for development and advancement, rather than the notion that a candidate must possess complete knowledge and is deceitful if they do not. Adopting this mentality enables the applicant to be more compassionate towards themselves, resulting in a more positive and balanced perspective throughout their PhD path. By employing this approach to address imposter syndrome, the candidate creates additional opportunities to embrace the advancement of personal development and knowledge without feeling ashamed.
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