I just joined a new social/networking group and am feeling intimidated by everyone’s backgrounds. How do you manage? I don’t have a lot of prestige in my background.

Be the “personality hire” with good jokes and personable conversations.

What does prestige really mean? Someone went to the right school, had the best internship, worked at a notable company, holds an important sounding title? Don’t let your insecurities hold you back because the reality is that prestige is a deception of perception and it does not always equate to excellence or experience.

Change your perspective— instead of being intimidated how can you be inspired? This is awesome for you and the exact type of group you want to join, one where you’re surrounded by people who can make you a better professional.

You’ll run into snobs who just love to tell a room how they’re better than others, ignore them and go seek out the people who are there to truly network, share ideas and connect.

Focus on what you DO & CAN bring to the table instead of what you <don´t/can't >.
What do you consider "prestige" anyway?

Point of joining a networking group is to learn & grow (not to shame & criticize ourselves :).

Feeling "intimidated" isn't a bad thing, IF you decide to see it that way. Think how you can invest in yourself further to create that "prestige" experience you think about.

Also, dont forget to have fun!

Understand that their industry titles may or may not correspond to your industry. For example, a VP in finance could be a manager title in manufacturing.

Lots of small businesses have CEO, COO in their titles but they could be a manager.

And if you flip that. What you think is just a director in your field, could be an executive title in another.

I would say 90% of folks that I run into that have these titles are down to earth and like to have conversations with everyone. (You might even pick up a mentor).

Take it as a compliment as you trying out the group. You’re with these ladies and I would guess that you DO have more to offer than you mention; honestly, we all do.

The “established” and seemingly “higher prestige” is not where they started. Keep in mind it is always up to you if this is a group that you want to continue with or not. See if they are open to mentoring or if they only speak of their own accolades. If the former, you have found a group in which to grow. But, give it a bit of time. Ask about their journeys and if it was meant to be, you will get a ton of stories to which you will relate.

If this is not what you find, then move forward with a smile and try another group who is open and helping. The choice is yours. If the group is worth their circle, the very first thing they will tell you is how women are much less likely to see themselves as a fit unless it is perfect, meaning they have every listed credential be it a job posting or even your new group. You could also use that as a test saying you’re considering x, but not qualified to see what type of advice you receive.

But if you were to ask me, I’d say never ever sell yourself short, you’ve got this!!!

I have severe imposter syndrome, my life was difficult and I dropped out of highschool, I married the first person who got me out of my abusive home, I had children early in life, and I worked in food service (fast food) for years, grew and promoted to general manager of my store and was promptly fired for something that occurred when I was on fmla. after I lost my job, my own personal point of pride, I decided to go back to school - my kinds were in elementary school and I had to start with GED --> community college, university, then masters. I graduated in the top of my MBA program nearly 10 years later and was hired by one of the big 4 - being a mom of high schoolers put me in a weird position with my peers (who were fresh faced early 20s) and trying to break into established social groups led my the male leaders of my groups was beyond intimidating.

Not sure I can give you any advice, only to just do it. Its weird and uncomfortable, but not as awkward as being an older (40+) wife and mother getting happy hour with a bunch of 20something male coworkers.