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OPINION
From imposter to Rising Star
Early to mid-career professionals can overcome burnout and imposter syndrome with support from leadership, mentorship, and proactive career engagement.
I ’ve decided to write this article to speak directly to the embattled early to mid-career professionals. Congratulations – you are recently promoted, being given larger project responsibilities, and supervising staff! You are often the face of your firm for a project or a specific client. As the responsibilities increase, the walls seem to push in as well. With all that success you’ve seemingly had, you are not yet in a position to influence hiring decisions or team assignments. However, you are expected to meet the next deadline and deliver exceptional services, it seems as if your career and your ability to gain influence within your firm depends on it.
Michael Makris, P.E.
If I am describing you, trust me you are not alone. I was recently exactly where you are. I had success early in my career by meeting and exceeding manager and client expectations, always setting the bar higher for myself than it was ever set for me. I received great performance reviews with the raises and promotions that followed. As I found myself being a manager of multiple projects for our firm, I discovered challenging schedules and the need to manage construction problems. The realization that the larger the project, the more problems that come with it, was a tough
pill to swallow for someone so focused on chasing perfection. Eventually the burnout and reduced confidence followed. Despite all the success I had, imposter syndrome set in. Fast-forward to early 2024 – I received an email from our marketing team telling me that members of our firm leadership wanted to nominate me for Zweig Group’s Rising Stars Award! The nomination alone was an accomplishment that helped me improve my mindset. A few months later I found out I was selected
See MICHAEL MAKRIS , page 4
THE ZWEIG LETTER MARCH 17, 2025, ISSUE 1577
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