Such a powerful message, Jean — you turned doubt into strength. Truly inspiring. 🙌
4 weeks ago
| 3
Thank you so much, Jean. I am a guy, but I really understand what you are saying. In my first years, I often heard people talk about things that seemed very important at the time, as if these things should be known before you even entered university. I also felt not at the right place. But as the years passed, and I started working on myself and exploring the world, I built some insights and wisdom that I feel are closely related to what you said. I hope more people can be as inspiring as you !! ❤
4 weeks ago
| 3
Thank you so much Jean for this post. I’ve been in the industry since the 1990’s. I have felt imposter syndrome since my very first CS class. That instructor told me back then that I should consider going to another major because I’m struggling in his class. Half the guys in the class also told me out loud that I don’t belong in CS. Hiring managers won’t hire me for software engineer positions because I wasn’t “technical enough.” It took me 25 YEARS (and a LOT of proving thru my work as a test engineer) to finally get the coveted software engineer gig . I’ve been at it now for 4 years and I am thankful that I work with a very supportive dev team who knows my worth in the company and what I’m capable of doing. So I can totally relate to this post!!! It was my story too!!! And we sure proved our worth!!! 🎉
3 weeks ago | 1
I am just starting my journey in tech and needed to hear this! Thank you!!
3 weeks ago
| 0
I started working in Engineering 25 years ago writing Enginering Change Orders. I really had to prove myself because I didn't have an Engineering Degree. What I learned and exprienced over the years made me tough. Now I have no problem asking Engineers tough questions and why something was done the way it was.
4 weeks ago
| 0
The boss often will just notice the loudest staff , unfortunately
3 weeks ago | 0
Bragging != Working, you find out soon enough in any competitive education environment. But these guys are annoying for sure.
4 weeks ago
| 0
Guys often stare at girls when they find them cute. Sorry if that sounds inappropriate — just a quick thought! :)
4 weeks ago | 1
Jean Lee
I didn’t feel smart enough.
In my first computer science class, the guys bragged about coding since they were 9.
I hadn’t.
They spoke in jargon.
Showed off side projects.
Talked over people.
I stayed quiet. Wondering if I even belonged.
I felt like a fraud.
Like someone had made a mistake admitting me.
I was one of the only girls in the room.
And when I walked into class, they stared.
Not like I was interested,
But like I’m in the wrong classroom.
For a while, I believed them.
Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.
Maybe they were right.
But then… I started working.
And everything changed.
I learned something no one teaches you in school:
💡 The loudest voices aren’t the smartest.
💡Confidence isn’t the same as competence.
Some of the best engineers I’ve worked with are quiet.
Some of the worst?
Always talking.
Always promoting.
Eventually, I stopped mistaking volume for value.
And I stopped questioning whether I belonged.
💡According to KPMG, 75% of executive women experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, especially in tech.
So if you’ve ever thought:
“Maybe I’m not enough…”
Let me tell you something:
You probably are.
You just haven’t had the right environment yet.
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 164