Imposter Syndrome Analysis

Superior Essays
Millennials have been labeled a highly narcissistic generation. Social media platforms are filled with a plethora of “selfies.” People can see their friends’ daily lives through Facebook and Snapchat. “The term “status update” has taken on a more literal translation as 47% of consumers feel they are best defined by their social media presence” (Markelz). There is a pressure of needing to be perfect, due to the fact a person’s life is available to look at any time or day with the use of social media. Women, especially, feel pressure to have a social media presence. Social media has set the ideal beauty standards for women unrealistically high. After seeing skinny models plastered on every advertisement, there is a decline in self-esteem as women …show more content…
“Social media, especially how I used it, isn’t real. It’s contrived images and edited clips ranked against each other. It’s a system based on social approval, likes, validation in views, success in followers. It’s perfectly orchestrated self-absorbed judgement. I was consumed by it” (McCluskey 2015). One concern that has been facilitated through social media is Imposter Syndrome. Rachel Ehmke, from the Harvard Business Journal, defines Imposter Syndrome as the difference of who someone appears to be and what they like. People within the millennial generation can create a different persona on the Internet. The Internet enables those personas by providing ways for people to post anonymously and become whoever they want. It is therefore, the objective of corporations to advertise their assistance of increasing perfection. One way is using celebrity endorsements through social media. For example, Kylie Jenner is the most followed person on Snapchat and has 80.6 million followers on Instagram. She is part of the millennial generation and lives the life many can only dream of having. Kylie Jenner has endorsed an assortment of beauty products, which lead to her creating her own cosmetic line. Thousands of people bought her products and the others she endorsed because she is seen as a high public figure. The goods that she promotes are seen as trendy, and many people will …show more content…
Posts are no longer genuine. Instead people try to sell each other the lie of perfection. Social media has allowed people to create personal brands. Millennials want to buy from companies that will fit into their personal brand. It should be noted that there is a defense between personal brands and self- promotion. Personal brands are when a person has a clear individuality, and actively ensures their actions follow their stated beliefs (Gulfo). On the other hand, self- promoting is advertising a person’s own interests or agendas. Companies have begun to promote their own personal brands utilizing the convenience of social media. “They provide a low-cost platform on which to build your personal brand, communicating who you are both within and outside your company” (Dutta 4). Social media facilitates the connection of businesses to younger generations. Companies can learn about millennials and their interests through social media platforms. While people can interact with corporations through the accessibility through social media. One of the social media platforms that best exemplifies this connection is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is similar to other social media sites, like Facebook, however it is filled with employers and job-seeking professionals. A person is capable of building their personal brand by constructing a professional network, applying for jobs, and listing previous work experience.

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