Imposter syndrome is the feeling that you don't belong and will be "found out" as a fraud.
Career changers get hit harder for good reasons:
- You're surrounded by people who've coded for years
- You don't have the credentials (no CS degree)
- You're starting over after being competent in another field
Here's the truth: even experienced engineers feel imposter syndrome. Studies suggest most professionals experience it at some point. You're not uniquely unqualified. You're having a normal human response to a challenging situation.
Career Changer Tip: Imposter syndrome often hits hardest on people who care about doing well.