Overcoming impostor syndrome

Victoria Stang is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy.

If you told me 5 years ago, “Victoria, you should run for president for an organization at your school,” I would have looked at you like you were suggesting something preposterous. Today, I sit and can reflect on one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, years of my life, all thanks to APhA–ASP and the platform it provided me throughout my presidency.

Throughout my undergraduate years and for a majority of my life, I always wanted to make an impact and be a part of something bigger, but I was too scared to act. When I came to pharmacy school, I knew that needed to change, and I found my opportunity with APhA–ASP.

Continued to believe in myself

During my first year at Rosalind Franklin University in the midst of the pandemic, I took a chance to run for chapter member-at-large and was elected. I enjoyed serving as a liaison and planning social events, but I wanted to do more. During my second year, I ran for president-elect and was successful, eventually transitioning into president in my third year. I was slightly panicked and did not quite know what I was getting myself into, but I told myself that I could do this.

There were plenty of times throughout my presidency when I wanted to quit: after executive board members stepped down, navigating conflicts, and when my personal life was overwhelming. But with my desire to serve and the support from my executive board and mentors, I continued to believe in myself.

APhA–ASP Victoria Lyle’s presidential theme this year—Believe in Yourself—is especially important to me because of how critical I am of myself. Self-doubt and fear of failure are the main drivers behind why I felt that I could not achieve my goals nor be a leader throughout my undergraduate years.

I know some student pharmacists share this same point of view. Because of this, I invited a speaker who spoke about impostor syndrome for students at my college so others who share the same fears as I do could learn ways to overcome their self-doubts. Overcoming impostor syndrome became a key theme within my presidency, and I began to view my own self-doubts as an opportunity to challenge myself by committing to and achieving my goals. Without APhA–ASP, I would not have been able to do these things.

APhA–ASP has helped me grow

As a final-year PharmD candidate on APPE rotations and nearing the start of my professional career, I am reminded of the ways that APhA–ASP has helped me overcome my fears. Even if self-doubt or fear of failure comes back, I am easily able to remind myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to, and I am able to believe in myself.

APhA–ASP has given me the opportunity to grow exponentially in ways that I could have never imagined, and I am thankful every day for this organization inspiring me to believe in myself!