I have a Ph.D. in bioengineering, and I have been working as a postdoc at one of the high ranked universities in the last five years. But overall, I am not enjoying my work and feel very panic as I am starting a new project as ii feel I am not talented enough and I don't trust me at all.

Hey, I totally get that feeling. You've spent years building this incredible expertise, and now it's like your brain is suddenly telling you, "Wait, are we sure we know what we're doing here?" Here's the thing—imposter syndrome hits almost everyone at some point, especially in high-pressure fields like yours. The fact that you're at a top university and have a Ph.D. isn't a fluke. You earned that. But when you're surrounded by brilliant people, it’s easy to feel like you don’t measure up. Starting a new project can be intimidating because it means stepping into the unknown again. But think about it—you've done this before. You've tackled hard problems, learned new methods, and pushed through uncertainty. This is just another one of those moments. What helps me when I feel that panic creeping in is breaking things down into smaller steps. Instead of looking at the whole project, focus on the first experiment or the first week of research. And give yourself permission to ask questions or make mistakes—that’s how growth happens. You’re not alone in feeling this way. It doesn’t mean you’re not talented; it means you care deeply about doing good work. Trust that part of yourself.

Answered by Choice Rx Helper

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