Imposter Syndrome in Tech

For many years, computer science and, in general, the tech field were lucrative and popular fields, considered a “golden ticket” to a job. Now, computer science enrollment in the UC’s and other universities has decreased for the first time since the 2000s, due to AI taking over junior-level tasks.

In addition, on social media, many tech influencers often showcase the “glorified” version of tech, with the free food from Google to fancy and beautiful apartments. Many who do succeed are often those who have been exposed to computer science or coding very early on, while those who only started to learn during college feel left behind, which causes imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome, where, despite success, an individual has self-doubt about accepting their own accomplishments. For example, someone who just started coding in college might feel strong imposter syndrome compared to someone who mastered it since they were young and can do full-scale hackathon-winning projects. The tech field is extremely lucrative, but it is a very difficult field to get into and stay in, especially in 2026, when AI is essentially erasing entry-level jobs.

However, it is important to understand that due to the difficulties in the tech industry in 2026, everyone has faced imposter syndrome before. From high school prodigies to even well-settled adults, imposter syndrome is real, and you, as an individual, are not alone. It is important for many to address imposter syndrome to continue to go beyond their boundaries and expertise, which can improve their chances of getting a job/a better job as well as giving better experiences.