Hear about real life experiences with impostor syndrome from Professor Margot Gerritsen and discuss steps toward overcoming.
Learning Objectives
By participating fully, you will:
- Define what impostor syndrome is and its widespread presence in academia.
- Identify impostor syndrome in themselves and others and separate this feeling from a desire to ‘simply get up to speed’.
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Use the tools and research presented to help take steps toward overcoming impostor syndrome.
Program Description
Impostor syndrome happens when an individual doubts their skills, talents or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". An estimated 70% of people experience impostor feelings at some point in their lives. It is widespread across academic campuses, and Stanford is no exception. Feeling impostor syndrome can be an isolating experience that leads people to feel alone, insecure, or even ashamed of their success. It can seem like your classmates and colleagues perfectly understand all the topics that you struggle with.
A campus survey by Professor Margot Gerritsen showed that many students experience the feelings or fear of being a fake, of not having what it takes, the fear of disappointing advisors, of being "found out" to not be as smart as they were thought to be. Impostor syndrome can especially affect those that come from underrepresented and minority groups. In this workshop, she will share her findings and some personal experiences with the impostor syndrome, and discuss some ways to overcome it, or at least make steps toward it.
Facilitated by Margot Gerritsen, professor in Energy Resources Engineering
Details
Open to enrolled graduate students at any stage in any discipline or degree program. Priority given to doctoral students. Open to postdoctoral scholars if space is available.
Space is limited. Due to the workshop's interactive format, full participation in both sessions is required.
If you are accepted to this workshop, you must confirm your place by submitting a Student Participation Fee Agreement, which authorizes VPGE to charge $50 to your Stanford bill – only if you do not fully participate in the event. You will receive a link to the Agreement and instructions if you are offered a place.
Registration Process
Crucial Conversations took place in Winter 2021.
Please check back in Fall 2021 for future workshop dates.
