7 Confidence-Boosting Strategies for Navigating Imposter Syndrome as a First-Gen Woman in Tech

Stepping into the tech world as a first-generation American woman has been nothing short of a wild ride. Growing up, my parents taught me the value of hard work and resilience, but navigating a career in an industry where I rarely saw anyone who had the same work ethic and background as me? That was an entirely different challenge.

I remember my first day at my first big girl job—camera on, ready to prove myself, but secretly wondering if I even knew what I was doing. The calendar invites, the jargon, the acronyms, the established relationships that my fellow coworkers already held—it all felt intimidating and foreign, like a game where I didn’t know the rules, a fish out of water. And the more I looked around, the more I questioned if I had somehow slipped through the cracks. Was I actually qualified? Or did they just hire me based on what I wrote on paper in my resume or as a pity hire based on my background?

The weight of imposter syndrome followed me from meeting to meeting, whispering that I was one mistake away from being exposed as a fraud. But over time, I learned to fight back. I realized that my background—being first-gen, being a woman in tech, being someone who had to figure it all out from scratch—wasn't a weakness. It was my superpower. And through trial and error, I found strategies that helped me quiet that nagging voice of doubt and own my place in this field. Here are seven confidence-boosting strategies that have helped me along the way.

1. Own Your Unique Perspective

For so long, I thought my background was something to overcome rather than something to embrace. But here’s the truth: being first-gen means you’ve developed skills that others haven’t. You know how to adapt, how to navigate unfamiliar spaces, how to solve problems with little guidance. Those are the exact skills that make great innovators in tech.

Women of color make up only 4% of the tech workforce, according to a report by the Kapor Center. That number highlights how underrepresented many voices still are in this industry. While my experience as a Jewish Russian, first-generation woman is different, I know what it feels like to not see yourself reflected in the spaces you enter. Once I reframed my perspective and saw my journey as an asset rather than a disadvantage, I started approaching challenges with more confidence.

2. Find Your People

When I first started out, I felt like I had to do everything on my own. After all, that’s what being first-gen teaches you: figure it out, don’t ask for help, just make it work. But the truth is, we thrive in community.

The people I sought out were the other women at my company, the ones I met in person at conferences, and those within my work network. They validated my thoughts and lived experiences, and together, we lifted each other up to grow.

If you haven’t found your people yet, start looking. Having a support system makes all the difference.

3. Keep Learning, Keep Growing

The tech industry moves fast, and it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly falling behind. I used to think that if I didn’t know everything, I wasn’t good enough. But I’ve learned that no one knows everything—and the best professionals are the ones who never stop learning.

I started setting aside time for courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning, as well as getting certifications in specific solution areas like AWS Cloud Practitioner and Google Cloud Computing Foundations. I’d listen to tech podcasts on my commute--Hard Fork and Acquired are my favorites! I reminded myself that every new skill I learned was a small win against imposter syndrome. Growth isn’t about knowing it all—it’s about being willing to learn.

4. Set Small, Achievable Goals

One of the biggest traps of imposter syndrome is feeling like you have to prove yourself all at once. As my Magic Quill--you'll learn more about her later on!-- says, "you can't boil the ocean in a day!" Instead of getting overwhelmed, I started breaking things down.

When I took on a new project, I’d set mini-goals. Finish the structure first. Then the necessary assets. Then go through reviews and set expectations for all stakeholders with deadlines by the following week. Each little step gave me momentum, and the more I accomplished, the more confident I became and the more respect I earned. Success isn’t about one big win—it’s about all the small victories that add up over time.

5. Give Yourself Grace

One of the hardest things about being first-gen in a competitive field is the pressure we put on ourselves. For years, I felt like I had to be perfect. Mistakes weren’t allowed. Asking too many or not enough questions meant I wasn’t smart enough.

But I’ve learned that growth requires mistakes. No one gets it right 100% of the time—not even the people who seem like they have it all figured out. When things don’t go as planned, I remind myself:

Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend.

6. Seek Mentorship (Even If It Feels Intimidating)

Reaching out to mentors always felt intimidating—why would someone so accomplished want to help me? But I’ve learned that the best mentors genuinely want to lift others up.

I started small, simply asking for advice—sending a quick message to female coworkers I admired, attending webinars, and having casual coffee chats. Eventually, one of the women at work that I looked up to the most connected me with her mentor, and we now meet regularly. But the funny thing is, she doesn’t realize that she became more of a mentor to me than the person she introduced me to. She has no idea how much her guidance over the past two years has shaped me into the careerwoman that I am today.

That’s the power of mentorship. You never know how much a simple conversation, a bit of advice, or a small act of encouragement can impact someone’s life. So, if you’re hesitant to seek out a mentor, start small. Ask a question. Connect with someone whose career you admire. You never know where one conversation might lead—or whose life you might change along the way.

7. Embrace Vulnerability & Share Your Story

For the longest time, I thought I had to hide my struggles. But the more I opened up about my experience—about being first-gen, about doubting myself, about figuring things out as I go—the more I connected with others who felt the same way.

Sharing your story doesn’t make you weak. It makes you real. And in this industry, we need more realness. When we talk about imposter syndrome, we take away its power.

Moving Forward from Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear overnight. But with each step—each moment of confidence, each new skill learned, each time you remind yourself that you do belong—it loses its grip.

Being a first-gen woman in tech isn’t easy, but it’s powerful. We are redefining what leadership looks like. We are paving the way for those who come after us. And the more we show up as our full, authentic selves, the more we reshape this industry for the better.

So, if you’re reading this and wondering if you belong—trust me, you do. And the your industry is better because of you. Let’s keep breaking barriers together.