In the inaugural episode of “Promoted,” Ray Ramos shares his transformative journey from a dead-end retail job to a successful career in IT Support. This episode, hosted by Bridget Johnson, a career coach at Merit America, delves into Ray’s battle with imposter syndrome and how he navigated his path to tech success.
Key Takeaways
Whether transitioning into tech is your first career change or your fifth, feeling pressure is common. Almost everyone, regardless of their status or accomplishments, has experienced self-doubt, leading talented and hardworking individuals to feel like frauds in a professional setting.
According to the American Psychological Association, about 80% of people have faced imposter syndrome. You might wonder, “Can I really do this?” or worry, “What if they find out I don’t have all the answers? Did they make a mistake hiring me?”
Imposter syndrome is so prevalent that we’ve made it the focus of the first episode of Merit America’s new podcast, Promoted. In this episode, Merit America alum Ray Ramos talks with his career coach and host, Bridget Johnson, about his journey to his first entry-level tech job as a Technical Support Representative.
Tune in to learn:
- What led Ray to choose Merit America
- What surprised Ray most about transitioning into tech
- How to recognize and combat imposter syndrome
- What helped him make his career change
- How you can secure your first tech role, whether you’re new to the field or not
Listen to the Full Episode!
Tune in to Ray and Bridget’s full chat for expert insights and practical advice on overcoming imposter syndrome and confidently moving forward in your career!
Podcast Transcript:
Ray Ramos: Hi, my name is Ray. I’m from Florida. Before, I worked a dead-end job for five years at a cell phone company, not making any money. But now, I work for a tech support company called Asurion, and I’m making $15,000 more per year than at my last job. Today, I’m going to talk to you about how I did it, all while overcoming feelings of imposter syndrome with guidance from my Merit America team and coach, Bridget.
Bridget Johnson: You just heard the voice of Ray Ramos, an alum of Merit America’s IT support program. Welcome to the first episode of Promoted, a podcast about leaving low-wage work for good. I’m Bridget Johnson, today’s host and a Merit America coach. This season, we’ll explore the personal experiences of our Merit America learners to uncover the lessons, challenges, and triumphs they’ve encountered on their career journeys.
Bridget Johnson: In this episode, we’ll be discussing a topic that many of us can relate to: imposter syndrome. Ray and I chat about how he successfully navigated through imposter syndrome during his time with Merit America and his new career. Ray, welcome to the show.
Ray Ramos: Hello. Thank you for having me.
Bridget Johnson: Absolutely. I want to start with your background. Can you share with the listeners where you were before Merit America?
Ray Ramos: Of course. Before Merit America, I was a store manager at a retail store for cell phones, and I’ve been doing that for a very long time—about seven years total.
Bridget Johnson: Now, growing up, what were your career aspirations? What did you think you would be when you were a kid?
Ray Ramos: Honestly, when I was growing up, I thought I might end up being a teacher or even a big music label owner. I don’t know where those aspirations came from, but I really wanted to pursue them.
Bridget Johnson: So, did you feel that prior to Merit America, you were on that path, or were you kind of straying away from it a little?
Ray Ramos: I think I was finding a new passion when I discovered Merit America. I was trying to find something I could enjoy long-term and build wealth around, honestly.
Bridget Johnson: Yeah. How did you find out about Merit America?
Ray Ramos: Oh, man, this is going to be a good one. I found it on TikTok. I was scrolling, and there was this advertisement that just stuck out to me. I couldn’t help but watch the video three times. I was like, you know what? I’m struggling right now. I’m dealing with a lot of issues and feeling stuck. The worst that could happen is I apply, and here I am.
Bridget Johnson: And here you are. Now, if we jump right into the main topic today, which is imposter syndrome, it’s a common challenge many individuals face during their career journey. Basically, it’s when you doubt your own abilities and fear being exposed as fraudulent, despite evidence that you’re competent. People experiencing impostor syndrome often believe their success is undeserved or worry that others will eventually discover their perceived shortcomings. So, did you experience any of these feelings of impostor syndrome during the program, or maybe when you first started your new job?
Ray Ramos: During the program, I definitely felt imposter syndrome because it was something very new to me. The fact that I was going through these courses and mastering them made me question, am I really becoming this tech person? It was hard to grasp that concept because all I knew how to do was recommend a phone and know basic device information. But learning about gateways, networks, and the internet was new. I felt like, am I really learning this? Am I really going to become this person? I got scared because it was a significant change.
Ray Ramos: Even when I started at my job at Asurion, many people were shocked by my abilities and understanding of how technology worked. The Merit America program gave me confidence because it taught me that you may feel like an imposter in the moment, but great things are achieved by believing in yourself. Sometimes, you have to fake it a little until you make it. If you believe you are qualified, that belief is crucial.
Bridget Johnson: I remember teaching that during our small group: just fake it until you make it and show confidence. When you recognized that you were battling imposter syndrome, was there anything in particular that triggered it, like specific situations?
Ray Ramos: I think it happened when I questioned whether I really understood the concepts or the content. People often doubt themselves, especially when facing deadlines. Imposter syndrome kicks in, making you question what you got yourself into. But I taught myself to stay positive, push through it, and reach out to your coaches. Believing in yourself is key.
Bridget Johnson: Now, do you think these doubts stem from something further back or something more recent?
Ray Ramos: It stems from taking on new challenges. It’s easier to accept that you might not complete them than to believe you’ll succeed. When facing a new path in life, tasks can feel overwhelming. But staying positive and having a strong support system helps diminish those doubts over time.
Bridget Johnson: Reflecting on your journey at Merit America, what stands out as the most crucial lesson or gain from the program? Is it technical skills or personal shifts?
Ray Ramos: One crucial lesson is to take your time. It’s okay if things are due; just breathe and assess the situation. Many people try to rush through tasks, but taking a step back allows you to see that you have the skills and confidence to succeed. Give yourself grace and focus.
Bridget Johnson: So, it sounds like you’re saying to give yourself grace and not be so hard on yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Ray Ramos: Yes, definitely. Giving yourself time and not being hard on yourself during overwhelming moments is important. Self-love and self-care are crucial. You’ll get to where you need to be if you take care of yourself and believe in your ability to overcome challenges.
Bridget Johnson: That sounds like a healthy practice. If someone were to take away any piece of advice on dealing with imposter syndrome, what would it be?
Ray Ramos: Believe in yourself. Trust that you are on the right path, and know that imposter syndrome is common. Stay positive, believe you can do it, and reach out to coaches or people who can support you. You have a greater strength within you; you just have to find it.
Bridget Johnson: Great advice. Now that we know more about imposter syndrome and Ray’s experience with it, how do you think this plays into long-term career development or growth in IT support?
Ray Ramos: It plays a big role because staying positive and confident helps you complete tasks and perform well. In this industry, always striving to be your best and maintaining a belief in your abilities is key to achieving greater things.
Bridget Johnson: I agree. Well, thank you so much for joining us today, Ray. Your insights are truly valuable.
Ray Ramos: Thank you for having me.
Bridget Johnson: And thank you to all our listeners for tuning in. We hope you found Ray’s story and our discussion on imposter syndrome insightful. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast, Promoted, and stay tuned for more inspiring stories and tips on career growth.
Bridget Johnson: Thanks again, and see you next time!