Vol. 9 No. 1 (2024): Journal of New Librarianship
Columns

Imposter Syndrome: Living the Idea of “Fake It ‘til You Make It”

Published 2024-04-28

Keywords

  • imposter syndrome,
  • library administration,
  • early career,
  • COVID-19

How to Cite

Cummings, M. (2024). Imposter Syndrome: Living the Idea of “Fake It ‘til You Make It”. Journal of New Librarianship, 9(1), 113–118. https://doi.org/10.33011/newlibs/15/11

Abstract

This column will showcase different aspects of the journey from musical theatre professional to director of a rural public library: how this came to be, findings of a library outsider, and recommendations for overcoming imposter syndrome. The author mentions the successes and failures she experienced in her first year as a library supervisor, and the sharp contrast between growing up in an urban setting and working in a rural city/county public library. This column concludes with the idea that how one presents oneself and the tangible actions one takes towards working in and advocating for their library can speak more highly of their abilities than being a perfect job candidate on paper.