THE
FAUX
PRO
Navigating Imposter
Syndrome
BY MORGAN GILL &
SOPHIE CALHOUN
GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM DATE: APRIL 4TH, 2019
OUTLINE
Introductions
Research
Our Experiences
Coping Mechanisms
Questions?
PAGE 02
WHAT IS IMPOSTER
SYNDROME?
"A subjective experience of perceived
intellectual phoniness that is held by certain
high-achieving adults who, despite their
objective successes, fail to internalize these
successes."
(Kollingian & Sternberg, 1991, p. 309)
GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PAGE 03
WHAT IS IMPOSTER
SYNDROME?
FEELING UNDESERVING OF SUCCESS
"A
Those struggling with Imposter Syndrome
FRAUD"
demonstrate a psychological pattern of doubt
surrounding their acheivements. They often feel
like a fraud that will be "found out"
IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
"JUST
Many attribute their many successes to luck, and
LUCKY"
that they are simply deceiving those around them
into believing their competence
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QUOTE
"Treat a male student badly and he will think
you're a jerk. Treat a female student badly and
she will think you have finally discovered that
she didn't belong in engineering."
(Young, 2011, p. 119)
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WHO IS AFFECTED?
Imposter syndrome does not discriminate. It does not matter what gender, race, socio-
economic status or profession a person has, the feeling of being a fraud can happen.
YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHICS
Specifically women, people of color, & first
AGES
18 - 24
generation college students
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
Valerie Sheares Ashby, Dean of Duke University’s
HIGH
ACHIEVERS
College of Arts & Sciences, battled with imposter
syndrome until the age of 43.
GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PAGE 06
WHO
IS
AFFECTED?
GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PAGE 07
OUR EXPERIENCES
SOPHIE CALHOUN
First Gen Student
STEM
Graduate Student
Scholar
GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PAGE 08
OUR EXPERIENCES
MORGAN GILL
Supervisor
Student
Friend
Family Member
GRADUDATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PAGE 09
COPING
SELF-AUTHORSHIP
Understand and own who you are. Develop your
own personal brand and stick to it! Base your
decisions around your values and exploration.
TALKING AND REFLECTING
Talk about imposter feelings early with people
you trust. Reflect through writing regularly. Accept
and speak in positive affirmations.
BUILD YOUR VILLAGE
Know who will tell you the truth, and trust in
them. Ask for feedback when needed, and lean on
others for support.
GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PAGE 10
REFERENCES
Chapman, A (2015). Using the assessment process to overcome Imposter Syndrome in mature students. Journal of Further and Higher
Education, 41(2).112-119.
Christina, G., (2014). Imposter syndrome, and what it means to be an adult. The Humanist, 74, 34-36.
Gardner, M. (2016). Overcoming imposter syndrome. Veterinary Team Brief, 4, 51-53.
Gibson-Beverly, G., & Schwartz, J. R. (2011), Attachment, entitlement, and the imposter phenomenon in female graduate students. Journal of
College Counseling. 11(2). 119-132.
Gluckman, N. (2017). How a Dean got over imposter syndrome – and thinks you can, too. Chronicle of Higher Education, 64(14), 1
Kolligan, J., & Sternberg, R. J. (1991). Perceived fraudulence in young adults: Is there an ‘Imposter Syndrome’. Journal of Personality
Assessment, 56(2), 309
Lane, J. A., (2015). The imposter phenomenon amount emerging adults transitioning into professional life: Developing a grounded
theory, Adult Lifespan Journal, 14, 114-128.
Pishva, R. (2010). “Phew, I fooled ‘em this time.... but I may not be so lucky next time”: The Imposter Syndrome among graduate
students. Psynopsis: Canada’s Psychology Magazine, 32(3), 35.
Roche, J. (2014). Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Lessons from female and minority business leaders. Leader to Leader, 13-18.
Young, V. (2011). The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer From Imposter Syndrome and How To Thrive
in Spite of It. New York: Crown Business
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