What It's Really Like to Work in Tech: Fighting The Imposter Syndrome Beast and Finding Success!

?? My Journey: Overcoming Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome, and Finding My Place in Tech

When I first set out to break into the tech industry, I had this idea that I needed to be perfect, an expert in every single thing. ??

It led me down a path of endless hours at the computer, pushing myself to learn every command, every service, and every detail.

I thought I needed to know why each Linux command worked, how every AWS cloud service functioned, and have hands-on experience with all of it before I could even move on to the next thing.

If I didn’t have all of that, I wouldn't let myself take the next step. It was exhausting, and it put me in this state of analysis paralysis. ??

My intentions were good, but my progress?

Well, it sucked. I wasn’t moving forward.

A year could go by, and I’d still be stuck in the same loop, asking the same questions, talking to the same people, looking for the same advice I had sought 12 months ago. ?

In this article, I want to share with you some insights and lessons that helped me power through these challenges and finally land a role in the cloud industry.

Before we dive into the lessons, let me take you through the struggles I faced and how I overcame them to reach my goals.

And here's a crucial truth to start with—we’re all trying to figure things out, and everyone you look up to was once in the same boat as you. ??

??? The Reality of Getting a Cloud Role

After struggling for a bit to break in, I finally managed to land my first cloud job.

This transition brought new realizations and challenges, and it completely changed how I viewed myself and my abilities in the industry. ??

After I finally landed my first cloud job, I found myself in a whole new phase: imposter syndrome. ?? I worried constantly.

I thought if I wasn’t getting feedback on every little thing, it meant I wasn't doing well, that I wasn’t good enough, and maybe, just maybe, I could lose my job.

For instance, I remember a time when I completed a major task and didn't hear anything back for days.

I was convinced I had done something wrong, and I kept replaying everything in my head, trying to figure out where I might have messed up. ??

The reality was the exact opposite, in that job, no news was good news.

I would ask my manager almost daily, "Am I doing a good job? How’s my work?"

I was convinced that the tech world would be relentless, full of nonstop stress and tasks beyond my ability. But what I actually found was a more flexible environment, one that let me breathe. ????♂?

I could work from my living room, take breaks to grab a coffee, or even get a haircut during my lunch break.

As long as I got my work done and remained accessible, I was doing just fine. ????

???? Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning to deal with imposter syndrome was tough, but the biggest realization for me was this: I am responsible for my own success or failure. I have the rope in my hands, and it’s up to me whether I use it to pull myself up or let it hang me. ??

Here are some steps that helped me:

?? Work in 30-Minute Blocks:

I created a schedule where I worked in 30-minute blocks, giving myself permission to rest for 15 minutes between deep focus sessions. This helped me stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

?? Embrace Short, Intense Bursts:

Working in shorter, focused bursts allowed me to deliver my work not just on time, but often ahead of schedule. It also helped me mentor others and take on more responsibility.

?? Keep Moving Forward:

This approach helped me move from my first role, cloud support, into the role I really wanted: a training architect.

Structure and discipline were key to my productivity and success.

?? Real quick:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure of your next move, or trying to transition into a cloud role, know that my team and I are here to help.

We focus on what you need to do, how to brand yourself, and how to shift your mindset from being an employee to thinking like a business.

If you want to chat with us to see if our strategy and program are right for you, schedule a call at LevelUpInTech.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. ??

???? The Truth About People in Tech

Here’s a truth that most people don’t realize: Everyone in tech is on the same journey. ??

Sure, some people may have more experience, and you might look at them as geniuses.

But often, their "genius" is just a result of having more exposure.

?? I remember talking to a manager one day, and he admitted to me, "Sometimes, I feel like I know nothing, and I worry that one day they’ll realize it and fire me."

I couldn’t believe it, this was exactly how I felt. I started having more conversations with others and discovered that everyone feels this way at some point.

??? Tech is about finding answers:

It’s not about knowing everything—you just need the initiative to learn, figure things out, and keep pushing forward. The more you do that, the more exposure and experience you gain, and suddenly, people start looking to you for guidance. ??

?? Get Uncomfortable

I remember one of the first challenging cloud problems I faced involved debugging a broken deployment on AWS.

The system wasn’t behaving as expected, and I had no idea where to start. I felt completely overwhelmed, but I decided to tackle it piece by piece.

?? I started by breaking down the architecture, checking the logs, and reading through the documentation. It took time, but eventually, I found the misconfiguration and fixed it.

That experience not only taught me a lot about AWS services but also showed me the value of persistence and systematic problem-solving. ??

If you're facing cloud challenges and aren't sure where to start, I highly recommend using a cloud problem-solving framework to guide you.

Here’s a link to a framework that has helped me and countless others tackle complex issues: Cloud Problem Solving Framework.

This resource breaks down the process step-by-step and can be an invaluable guide. ??

The key to growth in tech, or in any field, is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Tackling tough cloud problems, even if you don’t solve them perfectly, gives you exposure and experience. ????

???? ?? Remember: Once you’re in a role, you might find that someone who’s been there for five years doesn’t have the same experience you do with a specific problem. They might come to you for help, and it’ll feel surreal—but it’s just proof that we’re all learning, all the time.

???? Fight the Beast:

The voice in your head that tells you that you’re not good enough, that you’ll fail, that you’re not ready, that’s the beast.

?? I remember a specific project early in my career where I felt completely out of my depth.

I kept hearing that voice telling me I would fail, but I pushed through by breaking the task into smaller parts.

I researched each step, asked questions, and kept going even when I felt uncertain.

By the end, not only had I completed the project successfully, but I also gained confidence in my ability to tackle difficult challenges.

The trick is to learn to fight it. If you let that voice control you, months or even years can slip by without making any progress. Acknowledge it, recognize that it’s just noise, and keep moving forward.

One day, you’ll look back from your position as a senior cloud engineer or a manager, earning a salary you once thought was out of reach, and realize that if you had listened to that beast, you wouldn’t be where you are now.

You wouldn’t have the home, the career, the life you’ve built. ????

?? Here Are Your Next Steps In Taking Off

To sum it up, breaking into tech and thriving in your role is about persistence, embracing discomfort, and understanding that everyone feels imposter syndrome at some point.

Remember if you have to, take small steps, keep learning, and don’t let fear hold you back.

These lessons helped me grow, and I hope they inspire you too.

If you’re still figuring out where you fit in the cloud world, I want to help.

We recently created a quiz designed to help you discover which cloud role is best suited for you based on what you enjoy doing.

You don’t need to be in tech already, just answer a few questions, and let us guide you. You can take the quiz now at CloudCareerQuiz.com