Brave before good: My embattled and emboldened inner imposter as an NGO scientist

Despite struggling with “imposter syndrome” my entire life, I landed a dream job with The Wilderness Society. This position requires me to work on diverse sets of policy-relevant research questions from climate change, wildfires, forest management, and conservation planning. Sometimes this diversity enhances my imposter syndrome. I never feel like I can know enough about any one of these topics to feel comfortable. But, I’ve also come to appreciate that many scientists feel this way, because we always want to know more. Acknowledging there is more to know compels us to stay humble and to keep asking questions.