Have you ever asked yourself, “Can I make it in digital marketing?”  Or “Am I skilled enough to succeed in such a fast-paced industry?” You are not alone; even pros like our prior Digital Marketing Mentor guests Stacey Piefer, Tracy Murray, and Maddie Deane have been there. Despite their outstanding careers, steadfast determination, and capacity to learn new skills, they have all experienced periods of uncertainty.

Surprisingly, it’s natural to feel underqualified or unskilled. 

Almost everyone has this problem when starting something new. When your doubts and concerns begin to paralyze you, it’s not your actual abilities preventing you from succeeding; rather, the imposter syndrome sets in and forces you to second-guess every decision you make. 

Are you ready to understand how these skilled women dealt with imposter syndrome and helped themselves or others continue and succeed? Discover the tactics that could change the course of your digital marketing endeavors by continuing to read.

What is imposter syndrome?

The voice in your head that constantly tells you you’re not good enough, even when it’s not true, is known as imposter syndrome. No matter how far you’ve come, you’ll always feel like you’re falling short because of that persistent self-doubt that casts a shadow on your accomplishments.

Approximately  62% of professionals report experiencing imposter syndrome at some point in their employment. 

If left unchecked, this mental tug-of-war can lead to profound melancholy, worry, and panic. Over time, imposter syndrome may sap your excitement, diminish your vitality, and leave you feeling down.

This is your inner critic, and it does not reflect your personality. It is just another obstacle on your route. Recognizing it is the first step toward regaining control of your career transition and realizing your full potential.

Rethinking Imposter Syndrome

As shared in a podcast interview, Stacy Piefer believes that imposter syndrome is a term that gets carelessly thrown around a lot these days, especially among students and young professionals. 

But what does it really mean, and is it as valid a concept as we think? As a University of Houston senior career development professional with the University of Houston, Piefer sees this firsthand while helping business graduate students secure internships. She challenges the traditional concept of “imposter,” which describes someone pretending to be something they’re not to deceive others. 

Stacy finds that most students and professionals who experience imposter syndrome aren’t pretending at all; they’re genuinely trying to learn and grow. But they feel like they don’t belong or aren’t good enough, especially in fast-paced fields like digital marketing.  

In the rapidly evolving field of digital marketing, feeling overwhelmed is common.

As platforms and technology change, it’s natural to feel underqualified. However, even experienced professionals don’t know everything; learning is critical. 

Imposter syndrome can arise when you feel you must be perfect or know everything to be deserving. In truth, everyone is constantly learning and adapting. Believing you need all the answers can undermine your confidence, especially when starting out. 

Then what’s the lesson? The idea of imposter syndrome, especially among students or early-career professionals in the digital marketing industry, needs reframing. 

Instead of fostering unnecessary doubt, the emphasis should be on building confidence through constant learning and acceptance. Recognizing that growing and learning is a continuous process – and that not having all the answers is perfectly okay. 

Moving From Doubt to Confidence

Tracy Murray experienced the pain of imposter syndrome when she first switched to a career in digital marketing while holding a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Transitioning to a new field, especially one as dynamic as marketing, can bring on waves of self-doubt. This is especially true when stepping into marketing from another discipline, as Tracy did when she was brought on two years ago as Optidge’s sales and marketing manager. In her episode of the Digital Marketing Mentor, she recalled that the weight of those doubts can often feel very heavy.  

Tracy’s experience shows that the imposter syndrome doesn’t just disappear with expertise; it lingers, surfacing whenever she takes on new challenges. She admits that after completing a task, there’s often a moment of doubt-wondering if she really knows what she’s doing. However, she sees those emotions as a sign of healthy caution, keeping her centered and preventing her from making snap decisions instead of allowing them to immobilize her.

Two crucial tactics are pretty helpful in overcoming these emotions. 

  1. Establishing a network of support is crucial. When self-doubt sets in, having a mentor or accountability partner who has successfully navigated a similar career change can offer insight and support.
  2. When the feeling of being an imposter overwhelms you, stop and make a list of your successes. Reflecting on your starting point and progress can effectively remind you of your strengths and quiet the voice of uncertainty.

Imposter syndrome involves acknowledging your doubts as your mind’s way of protecting you. By validating these doubts, you can move confidently forward, knowing you’re often more capable than you realize.

Overcoming Stereotypes

Starting a career in digital marketing can present a unique set of problems for many members of Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012), especially when it comes to dealing with prejudice and misconceptions. Maddie Deane, the former SEO Team Lead at Optidge, is all too familiar with this.  

When asked on the Digital Marketing Mentor podcast, she said because of her age and gender, she’s had to put in extra effort to earn her clients’ respect. This struggle is closely linked with feelings of imposter syndrome, where the pressure to prove oneself can make self-doubt even more intense. According to statistics, 66% of GenZ were likely to experience imposter syndrome at some point.1

Although Gen Z is sometimes characterized as “lazy,” Maddie believes this image is unhelpful. This myth may contribute to the imposter syndrome, making young professionals doubt their competence and value in the job.

Transitioning into a male-dominated field like digital marketing has exacerbated her feelings of imposter syndrome. She is generally less assertive than many women and frequently employs softer language to avoid offending others. This strategy has occasionally eroded her self-esteem and reinforced her feelings of inadequacy.

Like many women, she is naturally less outspoken and frequently softens her tone to avoid offending others. This attitude has occasionally undermined her confidence and led to feelings of inadequacy. To fight this, she is working on increasing her confidence, using more aggressive language, and anticipating upcoming obstacles, which makes her feel more in control.

She must balance her natural desire to maintain calm, and her need to establish herself. 

Take the Next Step with ODEO Academy

From overcoming Gen Z preconceptions to utilizing tactics to mute self-doubt and redefining the term ‘imposter syndrome,’ all three of our Digital Marketing Mentor guests shared excellent insights and real-world experiences. Their tales demonstrate that everyone faces these problems, regardless of their professional stage or background- and that conquering them is critical to success in the digital marketing industry.

If you’re new to digital marketing or considering a career change, let ODEO Academy help you. We provide high-level digital marketing courses targeted to various specializations, giving you the knowledge and confidence you need to succeed. Are you ready to turn your passion into a thriving career? Explore our courses and continue your digital marketing experience with ODEO Academy. 

Your future in digital marketing starts here!

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