Feeling imposter syndrome… again, just like freshman year.

Remember that exhilarating, terrifying feeling stepping onto campus as a freshman? Surrounded by brilliant minds, wondering if you truly belonged? That quiet voice whispering, "Did they make a mistake letting me in?" Well, for many of us, that unwelcome guest, imposter syndrome, has made a grand return. Only this time, it’s not about acing a philosophy seminar; it’s about navigating the bewildering transition from campus to career.

We graduated with degrees from institutions revered worldwide, supposedly prepped for immediate success. Yet, the job hunt after Ivy often feels like a cruel, twisted game nobody briefed us on. The curated pathways, the structured achievements we mastered, suddenly evaporate. We’re left staring at endless applications, ghosted emails, and the daunting task of translating academic prowess into tangible professional value. It’s a weird transition, alright. One minute you're debating existential philosophy, the next you're trying to figure out how to stand out in a sea of equally accomplished peers, all vying for that dream role.

That familiar doubt creeps back. "Shouldn't this be easier for me?" "Am I truly qualified, despite the pedigree?" You see your peers landing incredible roles, and the comparison trap sets in, amplifying the feeling that you’re somehow lagging behind, despite all evidence. It’s a shared secret, this post-Ivy imposter syndrome. It’s okay to feel it. It means you’re challenging yourself, growing beyond the comfort of the familiar. Let's talk about it.