Am I a "Real" Software Engineer Yet? A Developer‘s Journey Through Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome, the persistent feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite evident success, is an all-too-common experience among software developers. The tech industry in particular is notorious for making people feel like they don‘t measure up or aren‘t "real" engineers. As someone who transitioned into software development from a completely different field, I‘ve certainly had my fair share of these doubts and insecurities.

Quantifying the Problem

Just how pervasive is impostor syndrome among developers? The numbers paint a startling picture:

• A 2018 study by Blind found that 58% of tech professionals experience impostor syndrome
• In an informal Twitter poll of developers, 84% reported feelings of impostor syndrome either currently or in the past
• A 2020 study found that impostor syndrome is 20% more common among women in tech compared to their male counterparts

Impostor syndrome doesn‘t discriminate based on success or seniority either. Many of the most respected figures in software development have been frank about their own struggles with feeling like a fraud:

"The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania and a complete feeling of: ‘I‘m a fraud! Oh God, they‘re on to me! I‘m a fraud!‘" – Tina Fey, actress and writer

"There are an awful lot of people out there who think I‘m an expert. How do these people believe all this about me? I‘m so much aware of all the things I don‘t know." – Dr. Chan Chan, Chief of Artificial Intelligence at Unity

"I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they‘re going to find out now. I‘ve run a game on everybody, and they‘re going to find me out.‘" – Maya Angelou, acclaimed author

If even these iconic figures, with all their accomplishments and accolades, feel like imposters sometimes, what hope is there for the rest of us? As it turns out, quite a bit.

Ignorance Is Bliss, But Knowledge Is Power

Part of what feeds impostor syndrome is the Dunning-Kruger effect – a cognitive bias where people with limited knowledge or competence in a domain greatly overestimate their abilities. Conversely, those with significant expertise often underestimate their relative competence, as they are acutely aware of the vast ocean of knowledge they have yet to master.

In other words, the more you know, the more you realize how much you don‘t know. This effect is pronounced in software engineering, where the field evolves at breakneck speed and even the most dedicated practitioners always have more to learn.

As I progressed in my own developer journey and expanded my skill set, I found my confidence curiously declining. The better I got, the more acutely aware I became of my shortcomings and knowledge gaps. The web development projects that once seemed impressive began to look amateurish through the lens of more experience. Rather than an indictment of my skills, this was a natural side effect of growth.

Flipping the Script on Impostor Syndrome

So how do we break out of the impostor syndrome spiral? Here are a few strategies I‘ve found helpful:

1. Normalize it. Talk openly about your feelings of self-doubt with other developers. You‘ll quickly realize how common they are and feel less alone.

2. Embrace it. Reframe impostor syndrome as a sign that you‘re pushing yourself and growing. The discomfort means you‘re expanding your comfort zone.

3. Celebrate your wins. Keep a brag document where you record your accomplishments and progress. Review it when you‘re feeling inadequate.

4. Find a mentor. Connecting with a more experienced developer who can reassure you and put your concerns in perspective is invaluable.

5. Pay it forward. Mentor and encourage other developers who are earlier in their journey. Teaching others is a great confidence boost.

At a higher level, we as an industry need to actively work to destigmatize impostor syndrome and create a healthier, more inclusive culture. This means calling out elitist gatekeeping, celebrating different paths into the profession, and making space for people to be honest about their insecurities.

Some of my lowest moments as a new developer came from comments implying I wasn‘t a "real" programmer because of my background, specialty or tech stack of choice. These came from people who were supposed to be my senior colleagues and mentors. We can do better.

Experienced engineers have a responsibility to lift up and encourage the next generation of developers, not lord their expertise over them. True technical leaders empower their teams and create psychological safety, not an environment of superiority and shame. A rising tide lifts all ships, as they say.

The Only Way to Go Is Through

In the end, I‘ve come to accept that impostor syndrome may always be a part of my developer life to some degree. The rapid pace of change in this field means the goalpost for mastery is always shifting. There will always be a new framework to learn, a new paradigm to adapt to.

But with time and practice, the feelings of fraudulence and panic become less acute. I‘ve built up trust in my ability to figure things out, even if I don‘t have all the answers upfront. I‘ve collected enough wins to look back on when my confidence falters.

Most importantly, I‘ve come to internalize that being a "real" software engineer has nothing to do with degrees, years of experience, or even shipping flawless code. It‘s about continuously learning and using technology to solve problems. It‘s about resilience in the face of bugs and roadblocks. It‘s about contributing to a team and a mission beyond yourself.

By that definition, I am absolutely a real software engineer, impostor syndrome and all. And if you‘re reading this, grappling with your own self-doubts, I have a hunch that you are too. Welcome to the club – we‘re glad to have you.