Is there such a thing as reverse impostor's syndrome?
I'm a couple years into an operations job within a commodities function. At a higher level, I've been super fortunate to have this opportunity, and do enjoy my work. I've gotten positive feedback, good bonuses, etc. Coronavirus has thrown a wrench into our whole market, but that's a different discussion. I've done a few rotations, and I'm now entrusted to basically schedule the traffic for our busiest desk.
Honestly, the biggest struggle I have, is that I feel like I'm missing something when I see how other people are working. For the most part, I'm finding the job to be very straightforward and also slow paced. There's hard days for sure, and a fair amount of stress, but those situations are almost always things that are out of my control anyways. I'd say the real skill in my job is in social relationships - knowing the right people to call for a favor, not pissing off the major operators, etc.
At my place, I see all of my coworkers (ostensibly) working on their computers all day. Hopefully I give off this look too, but I'm often scrolling through Fantasy Football News, or other random web surfing. I'm just finding that my work doesn't take me that long in a day, and I have just as much work as anyone else.
In my eyes, a lot of people also hype up the job to be something it's not. One person at my work often flexes their 10 years experience, and tries to be overly analytical, etc. Not denying that lessons are learned, etc, but they are basically repeating the same hunch over and over, and overcomplicate situations needlessly.
I legitimately feel like an imposter, in that I'm screwing around while everyone else is working hard. And I think this job is, for the most part, very simple.
I have been wanting a more analytical role, or perhaps trading itself. But those opportunities are few and far between, especially in the current global business climate.
Is my situation normal? Should I be trying to get re-motivated and re-focused on work? Does it mean I should be considering a job change?
Normal especially in that type of role. I can't find the thread but there's one out there on someone that automated 99% of their ops crap and needed to look busy the rest of the time. Just find ways to stay engaged w your organization and proactive about what is next.
What if you do consider a job change and you end up with the same thoughts after a few years of experience?
True - I think an upward move rather than a lateral move is better for that exact reason. I think I have good ideas in my current job, but it's not quite so easy to just get that type of role.
But I think some part of it stems from the nature of my industry. It's not like consulting where I'm working with a bunch of ambitious, young grads from business schools. Not to say my coworkers aren't amazing in their own way, we're just not the same in terms of ambitions, background, etc.
Are you finding yourself in the same spot in commercial banking? Again, probably not as conventional of a path for this site as Investment Banking, and others
I don't know if I find myself in the same spot in commercial banking or if its just the company I'm at presently.
Right now, I'm pretty excited about lateraling in title but moving upwards in responsibility for my role, but I find myself anxious about being in a similar situation after hitting the learning curve for my new job. It's one of those things we'll have to wait and see. The basic functions are the same but working with bigger loans, and a new and bigger portfolio will hopefully add novelty and another layer of complexity to the job.
I find it interesting that you mentioned consulting - did you peel that from my post history? I was thinking that if this doesn't work out consulting might be the way to go.
While doing something on a tight deadline, even if the work seems menial, I find myself not thinking about how much I want to leave my current job. I reckon that something that actively keeps you consistently immersed or busy - I'm guessing this is trading maybe even reasearch -might be the way to go.
Lol same bro i always feel like i’m dicking around but no one’s called out for it yet so 🤷🏽♂️
I have been feeling the same way both at my last company and my current company. I don't mean to sound prideful in any of this- I would have to imagine that anyone on WSO is motivated enough and smart enough to likely be in the same boat.
I graduated college feeling extremely motivated, thinking I'd work harder than everyone else and would force my way to the top. My first role was underwhelming to say the least. I was in a role where I'd charge my hours to specific contracts, and was surprised how many hours I was budgeted to charge each contract. I might be budgeted to charge 10 hours a week to a contract for work that would take me 2 hours. At one point I inherited some work from a lady who was retiring.. I automated a bunch of her reports to turn 4 hours of work a week into 15 mins. But we were in a downturn, and there was nothing else for me to fill my time with.
My next two rotations were similar- some days of crunch time, but generally a ton of time where I'd just be trying to look busy. It was simply not an option to "work harder" or "make sacrifices". It seems like the people around me who are genuinely busy are just not as good at automating things in excel.. but I fear that if I automate too much or have too much free time I won't look like a hard worker.
So now I am getting my MBA, which has been another round of reverse impostor syndrome. Granted, it is a PT MBA, but its at a top 30 school. I thought this would be where I'd be an actual impostor.. I was expecting to be surrounded by people who started some charity in a 3rd world country or maybe came from MBB or BB IB or something like that. I was nervous I might not get accepted. My actual classmates are smart and have decent backgrounds, but objectively I'd say my resume is probably in the upper quartile of the group. I was hoping to be average or in the lower quartile, and ride the coattails of the others.
So this all leaves me wondering when the interesting work starts.. when I get to a point where I feel like I have enough to do to fill 40 hours, let alone 50-60. At what level do you hit the point where being driven, smart, and not awkward is the average? Am I missing something, or have I just not been in the right place? It's demotivating to feel like time is the only thing holding me back.. that I *could* handle another promotion but won't be considered because I need a few more years of experience. Maybe I set my sights too low, and should have been gunning for more competitive roles out of undergrad? or a more competitive MBA?
This sounds like a lot of excuses. If you’re not happy or challenged in your current role than look for something else? If you want a challenge like you say that you do, what was the point in settling for a part time MBA? You’re on WSO, so hopefully you did the research to see that at the end of the day, that type of degree isn’t going to do much for your career trajectory. Sincere questions though...
I wouldn't say I'm unhappy, it's just been fairly bland. My hope is to advance up the ladder (as opposed to an industry change) hence the part-time MBA. I assume it gets more interesting the higher I get.. and the pay gets better.
I kind of feel you there. I had a half opportunity to go into a boutique IB, and think it would have possibly been good for me. While also being much worse in other ways.
When I first started, I worked so hard. Only to realize that it was almost hurting myself, because it made it look like I was slacking around all day (I finished my work too early), or I'd end up taking other people's work.
Are you asking if I have an inflated ego at times?
Of course! I downgraded colleges for financial reasons going from a top 5 school to a top 50 puts me in an interesting situation where I have to be friendly to others who are relatively normal people who have normal conversations. Its not about who got Sequoia to back them, who met Tim Cook yesterday, did you get an invite to Eve Jobs birthday party. Its more about drinking and football predominantly, although I do enjoy more intellectual conversations with my professors. I am very quiet and do not draw much attention on campus unless I wear my other universities sweatshirt or sports wear. Sometimes I'll get asked why are you wearing a "top 5 school" sweatshirt, I simply say I studied there in the past then they always give me the same exact reaction. Wow! You must be like a genius or something! Depending how I am feeling I may or may not stroke my ego.
Either:
1) Nahh there are thousands people out there much smarter than I'll ever be.
2) Yea I am pretty smart even among my peers at "insert school" I was considered a genius among geniuses.
Usually the first one. Then I go on to say that being smart means nothing, and I'll probably be working for you in 10 years to lighten the mood for either answer.
Why did you leave “Stanford”?
"I downgraded colleges for financial reasons going from a top 5 school to a top 50 puts me in an interesting situation"
I was not receiving financial aid and it was coming out of my pocket. I decided it was not worth paying full price when I can go to a top 50 for basically free.
That's a tough situation dude/gal. At least you can probably still get awesome opportunities from a top 50 college. And think about how quickly you can build your life when you start working, since you'll have minimal debt.
Yeah, it's the same in my job. Most people in my type of job are going to be reading Facebook memes rather than Bloomberg. A lot of really experienced people are actually clueless about industry fundamentals, etc.
Wait so did you attend Stanford? Your post history indicates that you went to a summer session at Stanford but attend a state school and were asking for transfer advice with a 23 ACT and 3.5 GPA. I'm so confused but is your post about you or someone else?
Ugh I’m constantly grinding maybe I’m stupid
Dude, you’re a scheduler, it has always been a relatively easy job. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
I know it's a relatively easy job for any college educated person with a lot of ambition.
But I'm finding a lot of the other experienced schedulers (who legitimately create a lot of value for companies like mine) always seem to be busy, etc.
I'm trying to figure out if I'm just maybe not the right person to do this long term, or if I'm actually slacking off and could be a lot more productive.
That's a better articulation, relatively easy to meet requirements, but if you’re good you can provide a lot of value. Think millions based on relationships mostly.
Wow is it easy to be a scheduler?
Yes, allows for some people to be excellent at sales
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