Scroll down for evaluations from members of the Society of Women Engineers, students at Cornell University, students, staff and faculty at Texas A&M, and staff at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Members of the Boston chapter of the Society of Women Engineers gave the presentation an Excellent rating (4.97 out of a possible 5.0) and offered this feedback:

• loved the quotations + stories - great way to make a point real

• This speaker was excellent. She brought forth a lot of points that I was definitely able to relate to. Thank You!

• Great topic - I thought I was the only person who felt this way

• Great - absolutely amazing

• Couldn't be better

• Speaker was great - very informative and entertaining.

• Topic was very good - lot of insights

• Outstanding!!!

• I loved the topic and speaker.

• Humor is a great way to take the sting out of a sensitive/ tender topic for a lot of women. Thanks.

• Very uplifting and inspiring

• Excellent presentation, great topic - thanks!

• Presenter was amazing -- does she do therapy?

• Fantastic! I enjoyed the topic, speaker, and the women I met

• Absolutely great topic. Should definitely do it again for people who couldn't make it. Great to know its not just me.

• I'm so glad I came. This couldn't have come at a better time.

• Great speaker and topic

• I thought the presentation was very well delivered, but I just
  didn't agree/couldn't relate to all of her points

Here is what graduate students at Cornell University said they liked best about How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are: 

• The frankness, the anecdotes and being around others who had the same feelings

• Get to talk to other people in small group and the presentation

• I like the 10 ways to interrupt the impostor syndrome; I think I now know of ways to help myself

• Anecdotes, having someone else tell us it’s ok; comments from audience  

• Humor  

• Valerie's sense of humor and approach

• The sense that other people are dealing with these same issues

• Validation to how I feel  

• Lots of examples that we can relate to. Not a lot of theory.  

• Feeling that I’m not the only one with these feelings and realizing that it’s within my power to change my perspective.  Listening to other people’s experiences and fears really helped.

• Use of examples; tactics/strategies presented at end.

• Sense of “I’m not alone.” Practical tips for how to overcome this syndrome.

• The fact that it put words to the problems I’ve been experiencing. Talking about the situations really helps to focus attention on how to change them.  

• The accuracy of some of the comments with respect to my own behavior was astonishing; friendliness.

• It was very revealing. I felt a bit embarrassed but then realized most people in this room felt similarly.

• A lot of things: the fact that differences between men/women was emphasized. Open atmosphere about common important problems.

• Dr. Young’s presentation style.

• The charismatic style of the speaker made the message fun to follow.

• I was able to identify some of the reasons why I fear being successful or being the center of attention.

• Realizing that others have the same negative feelings.  I was not aware of the “impostor” syndrome, despite taking many classes in Psych as an undergrad.

• Moderator’s conversational, humane approach; personality

• Sources of fraudulent feelings; answers. I do not often have the opportunity to hear a speaker for two hours and not get restless, thanks.

• Was heartening to see lots of people had similar doubts and I wasn’t the only one. Dr. Young also made people feel comfortable with talking openly.

• Validation of my feelings! Thanks!

• Great speaker, good anecdotes, very interactive. It’s easy to understand and relate to my life.

• Group work, descriptions of impostors.

• The whole thing!

• I felt like we were talking about me. Lots of ideas.

• I liked the friendly environment, no pressure or competition to say the right thing.  I liked Valerie.  She is a great speaker!  

• The speaker is lively and helpful. The content was good.  

• I learned a lot and it will probably be very helpful.  

• Anecdotes of other people’s situations, comments. Let me know this is common, gained insight that we’re all sort of making it up as we go along anyway. No one has this objective rulebook.  

• Stories and examples about others. The presentation was very interesting. Dr. Young made it fun to listen to but mostly I was able to listen to what she said.  

• Really liked/loved the examples. Good to hear others, human situations. Good group work, worksheets. Glad there’s a follow up. Really like the way these steps can be applied to different issues.

• The anecdotal stories that you provided to explain and illustrate your points.

• Interactive, got to talk with other participants and with Dr. Young. Good examples.  

• It put a word to how I feel. It was nice to see and hear others feeling the same way. I feel now I can recognize it and deal with it.  

• How it was presented; with breaks to talk about topics.

• The stories helped me to realize that it’s not just me.  

• Putting words to what I felt.  

• The stories that helped further illustrate different points.  

• The group discussions.  

• It made me think about myself and why I think this way. Specific examples were very helpful.  

• There were a lot of stories/situations that really hit home for me. I think that my favorite most useful part was recognizing the negative voices and acknowledging what I would rather they say.  

• Great Orator!  

• I loved the humor. Valerie’s pep, and breaking up into small “sharing” groups.  

• The content. I learned that things I’ve been thinking are common. The presenter. Dr. Young was interesting and entertaining.  

• That you speak to all levels of  “impostors,” from the very severe to mild cases. And that you define this psychological issue as being an individualistic problem. Granted you see “impostors” in the female gender more than male, but it is present in all races, both genders, all levels of society.  

• Specific examples, stories, sharing and listening to others.  

• Speaker was interesting and engaging.  Interaction was excellent.

• Both fun and useful.

• Excellent presentation.  Valerie Young was a pleasure to listen to.

• Thanks!

• Great Job!

•  Very practical & accessible.  Useful for self and professionally.  Hard to find this balance.

• GREAT WORKSHOP – THANK YOU!

• It was great to have such a small group.  A very personal conference.

• Really enjoyed the participation & interaction & experiences with others.

• Good Job.

• Good choice!  Enjoyed it immensely.

To learn more about bringing How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are to your campus or organization, click here.

Back