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How do you deal with impostor syndrome as a Data Scientist?
I heard a lot about those that start working after majoring in data science in college and they feel like they don't being. Some of their coworkers have extensive backgrounds in the field. I was wondering how one would overcome this. #datascience #impostorsyndrome #impostor
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Sarah’s Answer
My advice for imposter syndrome is the same regardless of the field: If you were given a seat at the table, you are there for a reason. You likely see things differently than the way others do, and that's okay - in fact, that's probably why you were hired! Teams need people with different strengths and perspectives to thrive.
Here are some ways you can practice using your voice to combat imposter syndrome:
- Present your thought in the form of a question. If you are new in your career, everyone actually expects you to ask questions. If it helps, you can even start your question with something like, "I still feel pretty new and I didn't understand what you just said. Could you tell me more about what you meant?"
- Find a "buddy" who is also newer and ask them what their experience was.
- Here's a secret... Almost everyone loves to talk about themselves! Ask, "I know you are the best person at XYZ. Could I meet with you for 30 minutes? I would love to hear more about..."
- Ask for feedback. After a meeting, ask a trusted coworker, "How did I do?"
Here are some ways you can practice using your voice to combat imposter syndrome:
- Present your thought in the form of a question. If you are new in your career, everyone actually expects you to ask questions. If it helps, you can even start your question with something like, "I still feel pretty new and I didn't understand what you just said. Could you tell me more about what you meant?"
- Find a "buddy" who is also newer and ask them what their experience was.
- Here's a secret... Almost everyone loves to talk about themselves! Ask, "I know you are the best person at XYZ. Could I meet with you for 30 minutes? I would love to hear more about..."
- Ask for feedback. After a meeting, ask a trusted coworker, "How did I do?"
Updated
Dhairya’s Answer
It starts with recognizing that almost everyone experiences imposter syndrome (not just in data science but really almost every academic and professional setting). I know people with PhDs and years of experience, executives, and senior professionals all who feel like they are imposters. I feel that way often as well having taken a non-traditional path into AI research and having the privilege of working with some of the most brilliant minds at my current and past jobs.
First, take the time acknowledge that you belong and that you are qualified. Especially in field as advanced as data science. Being employed as a data scientist means you are a data scientist. You have the title and you are doing the work. Having been through both the hiring and applying parts, it's often hard to see yourself from the outside. If you were hired, you stood out in the hiring process which is an accomplishment in of itself. In the work setting, its not just your technical skills that matter. It about how well you communicate, work on a team and the quality of the work you produce. All these thing go into you being a competent and experienced professional.
It's natural and ok to feel overwhelmed, anxious and unsure of your knowledge. In many ways it is a sign emotional maturity, intellectual curiosity and acknowledgement that you are eager and open to learn. The trick is to turn some of the negative aspects of that feeling into opportunities
for growth. Identify areas where you want to grow and development a plan to improve through independent learning, seeking mentorship and building better professional relations. Talk to people who have that skill or expertise and try to learn from them. Try attending local meetups or professional socials and talk to more folks working on similar problems. Channeling the negative feelings into proactive actions will help overcome the sense of being an imposter by identifying a way to move forward.
First, take the time acknowledge that you belong and that you are qualified. Especially in field as advanced as data science. Being employed as a data scientist means you are a data scientist. You have the title and you are doing the work. Having been through both the hiring and applying parts, it's often hard to see yourself from the outside. If you were hired, you stood out in the hiring process which is an accomplishment in of itself. In the work setting, its not just your technical skills that matter. It about how well you communicate, work on a team and the quality of the work you produce. All these thing go into you being a competent and experienced professional.
It's natural and ok to feel overwhelmed, anxious and unsure of your knowledge. In many ways it is a sign emotional maturity, intellectual curiosity and acknowledgement that you are eager and open to learn. The trick is to turn some of the negative aspects of that feeling into opportunities
for growth. Identify areas where you want to grow and development a plan to improve through independent learning, seeking mentorship and building better professional relations. Talk to people who have that skill or expertise and try to learn from them. Try attending local meetups or professional socials and talk to more folks working on similar problems. Channeling the negative feelings into proactive actions will help overcome the sense of being an imposter by identifying a way to move forward.
Updated
Adit’s Answer
The way to overcome imposter syndrome is to keep working hard/harder in your field until you have built a substantial body of work in the industry and you then feel that you have the ability to solve any problem in the field which is thrown at you. The other thing is to realize that everyone is more or less in the same boat as you. Data science is a relatively new field and very few people are experts in the field, contrary to what they state in their resumes :). Lastly, everyone belongs in the industry - from the person who is starting out in Data science to the person who is an expert. There are simple problems in Data science and there are tougher problems and people of all skill sets are needed and hence they all belong.
Updated
basit’s Answer
This is no substitute for professional advice.
In my experience, there are a few ways you can help yourself:
Psychology: If you've not done so already, familiarize yourself with the imposter syndrome literature. Key here is to be aware that 70% of the people (as per Wikipedia) feel this way at some point in time or the other. That is, it's not unusual to feel like an imposter. You should also understand that, based on your personality type, every time you start a new endeavour (a new skill, a new habit, a new assignment at work etc.), there is a phase when your skill levels / competence and your ego are in conflict. Your skill levels are low and will gradually grow higher, but your ego is eager for "achievement" and can't wait to declare itself (that is, "you") competent. Watch out for this phase, keep your ego in check, and allow yourself to learn and grow.
Craftsman mentality: If you read articles around "What comprises the skill set of a Data Scientist?" on the internet, you may feel you need to have all those skills and knowledge mastered at the start of your career. Nothing could be further from the truth. The skills and knowledge take years to master and achieve a decent level of expertise. This is where adopting the Craftsman mindset helps. Approach your profession like a craftsman (a carpenter or a surgeon) and patiently cultivate the required skills to do your job well. The internet has a lot of good articles on the Craftsman’s mindset.
Handling the world around you: It is quite possible that during your interactions with them your peers may indulge in a lot of “talk” to “display” how much they know, and you may compare yourself negatively against them and feel that you know very little or your skill level is low. Don't take this seriously at all. Build a 5 year growth plan for yourself working with your manager or mentor and dedicate yourself to that plan. Assess your growth against that plan.
Perspective: Being a Data Scientist is just a job you do at the end of the day. Be grateful and try to do it well to the best of your abilities. There are far more important things in life.
Long story short: It's OK to feel what you're feeling. Have a plan, stay patient and sign up for lifelong learning and growth. Lastly, don't fret about what others may think of you and retain perspective.
Hope this helps.
In my experience, there are a few ways you can help yourself:
Psychology: If you've not done so already, familiarize yourself with the imposter syndrome literature. Key here is to be aware that 70% of the people (as per Wikipedia) feel this way at some point in time or the other. That is, it's not unusual to feel like an imposter. You should also understand that, based on your personality type, every time you start a new endeavour (a new skill, a new habit, a new assignment at work etc.), there is a phase when your skill levels / competence and your ego are in conflict. Your skill levels are low and will gradually grow higher, but your ego is eager for "achievement" and can't wait to declare itself (that is, "you") competent. Watch out for this phase, keep your ego in check, and allow yourself to learn and grow.
Craftsman mentality: If you read articles around "What comprises the skill set of a Data Scientist?" on the internet, you may feel you need to have all those skills and knowledge mastered at the start of your career. Nothing could be further from the truth. The skills and knowledge take years to master and achieve a decent level of expertise. This is where adopting the Craftsman mindset helps. Approach your profession like a craftsman (a carpenter or a surgeon) and patiently cultivate the required skills to do your job well. The internet has a lot of good articles on the Craftsman’s mindset.
Handling the world around you: It is quite possible that during your interactions with them your peers may indulge in a lot of “talk” to “display” how much they know, and you may compare yourself negatively against them and feel that you know very little or your skill level is low. Don't take this seriously at all. Build a 5 year growth plan for yourself working with your manager or mentor and dedicate yourself to that plan. Assess your growth against that plan.
Perspective: Being a Data Scientist is just a job you do at the end of the day. Be grateful and try to do it well to the best of your abilities. There are far more important things in life.
Long story short: It's OK to feel what you're feeling. Have a plan, stay patient and sign up for lifelong learning and growth. Lastly, don't fret about what others may think of you and retain perspective.
Hope this helps.