As summer approaches, there’s a lot to celebrate and more goodness to anticipate! Final grades are in, summer internship offers have been accepted, and for some, graduation is here. So now we can be outside! All the sacrifices and hard work you’ve put in has led you to your next adventure. However, sometimes internalizing that feeling of accomplishment is easier said than done. You might even feel the complete opposite: anxiety about whether or not you’re qualified for the next step in your accounting journey.
If this sounds #relatable, you should know your feelings are valid. The feeling – although extremely annoying – is very common. Psychologists agree too. Imposter Syndrome is a proven phenomenon where accomplished individuals tend to downplay their achievements, give credit to luck, and have a constant fear of being exposed as a “fake.” Part of the reason this is so important to talk about is so that you can pinpoint and recognize that it’s happening. Acknowledging it can lead to overcoming it.
The challenge then becomes trying to reframe your thinking. It can be easy to focus on what skills or experiences you don’t have as you enter a new environment. As you might’ve seen come across your Twitter TL, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Why give so much energy to what you’re lacking, when you could focus on what you have in abundance?
The truth is, this might very well be your first internship, you might be the first one in your family to go to college, and you might not have a huge network of accountants in your circle, but the other truth? You deserve your achievement. Not having those experiences or set of circumstances doesn’t mean you don’t have a valuable, unique perspective to bring to the table. Your interviewer or the college admissions person clearly identified this in you. They’re experts in doing this (no seriously, it’s literally their job), so have faith in their ability to recognize your value. Need a little help jogging your memory about what exactly your unique perspective is? Start by making a list of your accomplishments or character traits that you’re proud of. Then, reflect on what you did well and how you achieved it.
Another secret to managing your imposter syndrome is remembering that no one knows everything especially in a field like accounting, where processes and technologies are evolving and changing for the better all the time. Somewhere in a land not so far away, there’s an accountant who’s been in the game for 10+ years, who’s still learning a new Excel hack everyday (shout out to TikTok).
Our personal favorite hot tip for slaying the imposter dragon? Actively celebrating your successes, no matter how small they may seem! Did you complete your first week’s audit assignment on time? Treat yourself to some Starbucks on the way to your dorm. Did you stop by your Accounting 101 professor’s office hours and ask for help when you needed it? Hit up Trader Joe’s and pick yourself up some flowers and a card. Got an email full of praise from your boss about the reports you pulled together? Ask your friends if they want to go out for a celebratory dinner. If you remind yourself time and time again that you’re doing amazing in your new environment, sooner or later you’ll start to believe you deserve to be there. ✨
