From self-doubt to self-trust - navigating career transitions in academia with authentic confidence
- Jun 5
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Returning to work after maternity leave or stepping into a new role in academia can generate a mix of emotions. These transitions are not just logistical, they’re emotional and deeply personal. Often, the imposter syndrome creeps in and our confidence is shaken to the ground.
"Confidence doesn’t mean never doubting yourself. It means learning to act with doubt, not waiting for it to magically go away."
This is a piece of advice from Karolina Kozhevnikova who leads the coming workshop “Own Your Voice in Academia: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Cultivating Confidence”.
Drawing from her own journey, from international law to leading her own coaching practice as a single mother, Karolina offers powerful, practical tools to help women reclaim their voice, rebuild confidence, and show up fully in their professional roles.
We talked with Karolina about her inspiring career journey, personal growth, and what to expect from the webinar.
Read till the end, Karolina's answers are truly insightful. 💜
Karolina, you have an impressive set of skills as a founder of Enough LAB, psychologist, certified executive coach, and mentor to women navigating big shifts in their careers. Moreover, before having your own business, you worked in international law. What were the experiences that inspired the career change and how did they influence the work you do with women today?
My journey into law was actually a path chosen for me by my parents, not by me! I always felt drawn to helping people and initially dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, in post-Soviet Eastern Europe, the medical profession wasn’t well-paid, and my mother was quite firm: 'finance or law.' Finance held no appeal, and law felt closer to people, so I gravitated towards public international law, focusing on human rights and humanitarian law.
Psychology, however, entered my life in 2007 through my own personal psychotherapy, and I fell in love with the field even then. But it wasn't until I became pregnant that I fully embraced it. My desire to raise my daughter in a happy, emotionally healthy way was so profound that I decided to formally study psychology. From the very first lecture, I knew: this is my life's work. This is my mission.
You’ve worked with high-level executives and professionals from different fields. What patterns do you see when it comes to confidence? How do you think it compares to the academic world?
A lot depends on whether we're talking about men or women. Men often tend to internalize their struggles. They might not express emotions or talk about difficulties, instead trying to mask their insecurities with external symbols: expensive cars, watches, or intense gym routines, anything to project an image of everything being fine. An insecure man often becomes financially successful as a way to compensate for that inner doubt.
Women, on the other hand, tend to respond quite differently. Insecurity often manifests as procrastination or freezing up. They might hesitate to take initiative, avoid speaking up in meetings, or shy away from important projects. They apply for fewer grants and promotions, even when highly qualified. Women often wait until they meet 100% of the criteria, while their male colleagues might apply with far less.
This disparity significantly contributes to the 'leaky pipeline' phenomenon, where fewer women reach senior academic ranks like full professor, dean, or department chair. Many women in academia also report feeling like imposters, attributing their success to luck rather than skill. This can lead to burnout, perfectionism, and overworking as they try to prove they belong. Low confidence also keeps women from participating in conferences, collaborations, or public speaking, all crucial opportunities for academic recognition.
What are some common myths or internal narratives women carry when entering academic space? How prevalent is imposter syndrome, and does it affect women more than men?
That's a great question. Many women entering academia carry internal narratives deeply shaped by culture, gender roles, and even institutional biases. These often operate subconsciously but have a powerful impact on their confidence and career development.
Some of the most common myths include:
'I need to be perfect to succeed.' This often turns perfectionism into a survival strategy. Women tend to over-prepare, over-work, and ultimately burn out, while others might take risks with far less effort.
'Family and academia don’t mix.' Many fear that having a family or setting boundaries will make them seem less committed. This can lead to immense guilt, overcompensating, or even delaying major life choices.
'I should already know this.' Women often hesitate to ask questions or admit uncertainty, fearing it makes them look incompetent. This, ironically, stifles learning and collaboration.
There's significant research indicating that imposter syndrome affects women more intensely than men. A study by Patzak, for instance, found that men experienced less intense imposter feelings than women. It also highlighted how gender role orientation masculine vs. feminine traits can impact vulnerability to imposter syndrome.
A major survey of 1,326 female academics found that an astounding 95% experienced at least moderate imposter syndrome. Nearly half felt like imposters frequently, and 20% had intense, recurring fears of being 'exposed as a fraud.' This phenomenon affects women across all academic levels, from PhD students to tenured faculty and is remarkably consistent worldwide.
"Feeling 'behind' is not a personal failure; it’s often a reflection of workplace cultures that don’t fully value caregiving."
Many women returning from maternity leave feel like they’ve “fallen behind” in their careers. What would you advise those who are trying to “catch up” or feel pressure to prove themselves after time away?
First, it’s crucial to acknowledge the emotional complexity of this transition. Coming back from maternity leave can stir up ambition, guilt, hope, and self-doubt, all at the same time. Feeling 'behind' is not a personal failure; it’s often a reflection of workplace cultures that don’t fully value caregiving.
My advice: shift your mindset from 'catching up' to 're-entering with clarity and intention.' You aren’t behind. You’ve simply been on a different path, one that required incredible emotional growth, resilience, and a different kind of leadership. These are strengths!
"The time you spent as a mother developed your emotional intelligence, adaptability, and time management skills. These aren't liabilities; they are significant assets to your career."
Starting a new position in academia can bring a mix of excitement and fear. What strategies do you recommend for building confidence in those early weeks?
Absolutely. The early weeks in a new role are often filled with vulnerability, there's fear of being judged, comparison with others, and those familiar imposter thoughts. But they also offer a unique chance to build confidence from the inside out.
"From a psychological perspective, confidence doesn’t typically come before action; it actually comes through it. So, don’t wait to 'feel ready.' Take small, meaningful actions even when you feel unsure."
For example:
Speak up in a meeting, even if it's just briefly.
Ask a thoughtful question.
Initiate a conversation with a new colleague.
Make sure to track your efforts and your wins, this builds momentum and a crucial sense of agency.
Also, be proactive about building connections:
Find a mentor or a supportive colleague.
Connect with a peer buddy for informal check-ins.
Seek coaching or counseling if available.
These relationships provide vital encouragement and help normalize your experience during this significant transition.
What does rebuilding confidence actually look like in practice? Can you share a small first step that women can try right away?
Confidence is like a muscle, you build it through repetition and consistent effort.
In real life, that looks like:
Speaking up even when your voice shakes a little.
Setting a boundary, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Celebrating your small wins instead of minimizing them.
Choosing progress over the elusive ideal of perfection.
Allowing yourself to take up space, without apology.
It's not a one-time fix. It’s a profound mindset shift and a daily practice.
The title of your workshop is “Own Your Voice in Academia.” What does “owning your voice” mean to you?
Owning your voice is fundamentally about moving from self-doubt to self-trust. It means speaking even when you don’t feel 100% ready or perfectly prepared. Actively replacing the thought, 'Who am I to say this?' with, 'Who am I not to? Valuing your own ideas, experiences, and contributions, not just by comparing yourself to others, but by truly honoring your unique path.
"You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. You just need to be anchored in your values and show up with authenticity. That’s what real presence looks like."
What can participants expect from your upcoming workshop? Can you share one insight or technique they’ll walk away with that can make an immediate difference in how they show up at work?
In "Own Your Voice in Academia" workshop, participants can expect a space that’s both honest and empowering. This workshop is specifically designed to name the very real challenges women face in academia and then move swiftly toward providing practical tools to help them navigate those challenges with greater confidence.
In just 90 minutes, we’ll explore how internal narratives, like imposter thoughts and perfectionism can hold us back. We’ll then learn how to reframe them using tools grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
For example, instead of thinking: 'I shouldn’t speak, I’m not senior enough,' participants will learn to reframe that as: 'My perspective matters. Speaking up is part of my growth.'
This isn't just about feeling good, it’s about making tangible changes in how you show up, contribute, and advocate for yourself in academic spaces. Participants will leave with concrete tools, a stronger internal narrative, valuable peer support, and a renewed belief in their voice and their immense value.
"Confidence doesn’t mean never doubting yourself. It means learning to act with doubt, not waiting for it to magically go away."
Finally, if you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, when you were still trying to be heard and taken seriously, what would it be?
I would tell myself: Be kind to yourself. You don’t have to prove your worth by pushing yourself to the absolute edge or by silencing your doubts just to belong.
You’re allowed to feel uncertain.
You’re allowed to be scared.
What matters most is that you don’t let fear make your decisions for you.
Even when your voice shakes... speak.
Even when you feel like you don’t quite belong, take up space.
Confidence doesn’t mean never doubting yourself. It means learning to act with doubt, not waiting for it to magically go away.
And above all, I’d remind myself:
"Self-compassion is not weakness; it’s your foundation. Being kind to yourself won’t make you less driven. It will make you more resilient, more creative, and more deeply grounded in your own truth."
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