When Maria Londono applied for the MARC U-STAR scholarship program, she couldn’t imagine actually getting it. The program helps students interested in research careers get funding for school, get paid for their lab work, land competitive internships, and more. And it’s highly competitive. “When I heard ‘There’s this many people applying and this many people get chosen,’ I was like, ‘There’s no way I can be chosen,’” said Londono, who is studying psychology.
She didn’t even want to work on the application. But finally, a close friend convinced her she had a shot. And it turns out, her friend was right. “When it happened, it really blew my mind,” Londono said. “It made me realize that I self-doubt a lot, when, in fact, I’m just as capable to get into good programs and good scholarships as anybody else who puts in the hard work that I do.”
Londono is like many CU Denver students who may experience what mental healthcare professionals call “imposter syndrome,” or the persistent feeling that one’s successes or “place in the room” is not truly earned. Someone experiencing imposter syndrome might believe—whether they’re conscious of it or not—that they are not as capable or deserving as their peers. There might even be a mountain of evidence to the contrary that they overlook or discount.
Mark Isenburg, associate director of the CU Denver Career Center, sees students wrestle with imposter syndrome on a regular basis. “Maybe they don’t apply for that job,” Isenburg said. “Or, they apply and even get an interview, but their lack of confidence can really come through in that interview.” More often than not, Isenburg says, students have way more going for them than they realize. But they might need a little help seeing it.
Tips to Work through Imposter Syndrome
Tip 1: Recognize that Helping Yourself Can Help Others, Too
For Londono, not seeing herself represented as readily in the kinds of positions she wants to be in can at times feel challenging. “As an immigrant, woman, Colombian (to be more specific) I think being from a minority group, you think you cannot do what other people are doing,” Londono said. But she gathers strength from knowing that she can be that representation for someone else. “Just by really pushing through and trying to have the confidence, I think it’s powerful,” she said. “It’s something you should do for yourself and also for those around you, because if I’m up there and I’m showing representation, a lot of people can start doing that, as well.”
Tip 2: Find Your Community
“It really helps to nurture yourself and surround yourself by people who are going through the same things,” Londono said. For her, that’s been her fellow lab-mates. Talking with her peers, Londono can see that she’s just as qualified as they are and also get support through their shared comradery, so she doesn’t feel alone in her anxieties.
Tip 3: Phone a Friend
“We tend to be our own harshest critics,” Isenburg said. So, when you feel like you aren’t talented enough, lack skills, or need more accomplishments, it’s time to get someone else’s perspective. This could be a close friend, classmate, professor, or mentor who can help you take stock of what you really have learned and done. “Let’s say you had a class project,” Isenburg said. “Maybe ask your teammates on the project what they saw as your contribution.” This can give you a clearer picture of your skills and a story about how you applied them.
Tip 4: Utilize CU Denver’s Mental Health Resources
Lynx students get 10 free counseling sessions each calendar year at the Counseling Center (appointments can be made by clicking here). Students also get heavily discounted access to Headspace, a mindfulness app. Just use your CU Denver email when you sign up.
Tip 5: Set Yourself Up for Success
Emmi Olivo Brunner, BFA Digital Design ’25, combined tips 2 and 3 to check in with her support system—her mom—for help to think through her skills and experiences. Then, she found an online resume template and plugged it all in. The experience allowed her to correct her self-critical inner dialogue because it forced her to look at all she had accomplished and how capable she is. But more than that, the experience made applying for jobs a much less daunting task. “I feel very confident about my resume,” Olivo Brunner said. “I don’t feel like, ‘Oh no, I’m not prepared.’ … I’m just ready to go for applications.”
And since everyone’s support system can look different, CU Denver provides resources to make sure each Lynx can get their resume up to snuff. The Career Center is a free resource where students can get resume help (among many other services, more on that below).
Tip 6: Apply For Funding (Even if You Can’t Imagine Getting It)
“Keep going despite the doubts,” Isenburg said. Utilize CU Denver’s resources to help you find and apply for funding more efficiently and put yourself out there. For example, use CU Denver’s Scholarship Universe portal to find more than $7 million in opportunities. Ask your department about program-specific scholarship and grant opportunities. Learn more about scholarship resources and deadlines. Apply for a EURēCA Grant to do research, a creative project, or attend a conference.
Tip 7: Make Full Use of the Career Center’s Services
Did you know the Career Center helps with a lot more than applying to jobs? Book a free appointment with an advisor to polish up your LinkedIn profile and start networking, pick a major and start building towards a career path, write a strong cover letter, navigate grad school applications, or start a job search job-search. Don’t be shy. Behind every successful person, there are countless people who helped them. Get the help you need. “Come early and often,” Isenburg said.
For Londono, it’s important to remember that just applying for something is a huge accomplishment in itself, and that’s worth celebrating. “Push through even when you have imposter syndrome, because it makes you realize you can do many things,” she said. “That’s what gives you confidence.”