*Written by Felipe Sprovieri, IOS Engineer, Brazil
I remember the first time I was invited to join the Mobile Architecture team of one of the world's largest e-commerce companies. I had just received an amazing offer and was scheduled to travel to another country and meet the team during my very first week. I should’ve been excited, but instead, I felt like I had been hit by a train.
Thoughts started racing through my head:
“Am I really supposed to be here?”
“Will they find out I’m not capable?”
“What if I can’t keep up with the team?”
That was one of the first times I truly experienced impostor syndrome.
What Is Impostor Syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is the internal belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be. You might attribute your achievements to luck or timing rather than skill, and live with the fear that one day, someone will “find out.”
In tech, this feeling is surprisingly common. We work in a fast-moving industry where there's always something new to learn. Our roles are constantly evolving, and it’s easy to feel like everyone else knows more, especially when you're surrounded by brilliant peers, open-source rockstars, or smooth-talking devs on Twitter and LinkedIn.
And when you add the global market dynamic, working with teams across time zones, navigating language and cultural differences, and sometimes dealing with résumé bias, the pressure multiplies.
Why It Didn't Happen Earlier
Ironically, I didn’t feel this way when I started out. My first job was at a small, almost garage-style software house. I had to do everything: talk to clients, gather requirements, estimate work, and build the entire thing. During my first week, I struggled with so many compiler errors that I nearly cried from frustration.
But I didn’t doubt myself.
I just focused on solving problems. In my next job, even as a junior developer helping to build one of the first digital banking apps, I was too focused on learning and helping the team to even think about having self-doubt.
Looking back, it wasn’t until I entered the big leagues—the global, elite tech spaces—when impostor syndrome really hit.
Common Triggers for Developers
If you're a developer, you might recognize these thoughts:
- “Everyone on this team went to top-tier universities. I didn’t.”
- “That person speaks so clearly and confidently in English. I feel slow.”
- “I can’t believe I got stuck on this bug. A real dev would’ve solved it in minutes.”
- “They just promoted me, but what if I mess up? What if they realize I’m not that good?”
You're not alone. I’ve spoken with developers who have over a decade of experience (even those who've led teams) who still pause before hitting "deploy."
Impostor syndrome doesn't discriminate. It shows up regardless of your role, seniority, or résumé.
How to Cope and Keep Growing
Here are a few things that have helped me and might help you too:
- Track your wins: Keep a log of bugs you've fixed, features you shipped, and positive feedback. You'll be amazed at your progress.
- Talk about it: Find peers, mentors, or even a therapist. You're not the only one feeling this way.
- Curate your online exposure: Remember, social media is a highlight reel. No one’s posting their late-night debugging breakdowns.
- Focus on clarity, not perfection: If you’re working in a second language, know that communicating clearly is more important than sounding perfect.
- Use pair programming and code reviews as learning tools: These aren’t tests. They’re chances to grow.
- Ask questions openly: Not knowing something doesn’t make you less of a developer. It makes you human.
The Global Developer Experience
Working in a global team brings a whole new set of challenges:
- Language gaps can make you feel less articulate, even if your ideas are strong.
- Time zone gaps can create pressure to solve problems faster or appear more responsive.
- Cultural differences can affect how people give feedback, handle conflict, or even define success.
But here’s the thing:
If you’re a developer working across borders, you're already displaying adaptability, empathy, and resilience. These are strengths. Not everyone can navigate that kind of complexity, not just in code, but in communication and collaboration.
You’re Not an Impostor. You’re Growing.
After 10+ years in this field, I’ve learned that experience doesn’t erase doubt. What it does give you is perspective. I’ve stopped expecting myself to know everything. Instead, I focus on persisting, learning, and showing up for my team and clients.
In tech, there’s always something new to learn. And that’s the beauty of it. You don’t need to know it all. You just need to stay curious and keep moving forward.
So if you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, remember this:
You do.
The very fact that you care this much means you’re doing something right.
Keep showing up. Keep coding. Keep learning.
You’re not a fraud.
You’re an engineer. And you’re growing.
