The statement, “I JUST GOT A JOB OFFER AT ABC NEWS!” is plastered on my phone screen. I liked the message before turning my phone off. I pulled the doors open to the classroom as I entered a sea of cheers. “CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING A HEARST JOURNALISM AWARD,” I chanted. The encores finally came to a simmer as I spent the rest of class thinking to myself, when will I get my dream job and get to post about it? When will I  get the applause and recognition for my work? Am I not receiving all of this because I am just not good enough? Am I even worthy of becoming a journalist?

 

I did not know much about imposter syndrome until my friends and peers expressed their frustrations about it.

 

The life of a college student is not easy as they sit through hour-long lectures, having to maintain grades, all while working multiple jobs to afford a degree that they may feel like they don’t deserve. Many students have doubts in their ability to succeed in a field they put their time, money and effort into perfecting, which then leads them to believe they are undeserving of opportunities that come they’re way, or appraisal for their accomplishments because they feel like a phony or an imposter. 

 

“Despite having so much knowledge regarding control room operations, I continue to doubt myself, making it challenging to fully embrace and excel in my position. And this extends to additional skills such as editing video and audio,” said Jianni Burnett, a 2023 journalism graduate.  

 

Educating students about imposter syndrome will show them that they are not alone. This in turn will hopefully lead to their mask finally being lifted as they say goodbye to their imposter syndrome.