[Bastille]

Guys, I took part in a hacker event in France, and when I see the level of some of those guys, I feel so ridiculous.

Even though I’ve got the skills to work as a level 2 SOC analyst (which is not that bad I think), it feels like nothing compared to those war machines who’ve been doing this since they were 10. It’s incredibly interesting because you learn a ton, but also so frustrating. I went back to school at 25, and I know I’ll never reach their level because they got into this when they were kids. I wish I knew HF when I was 10 damn

I’ve often heard about imposter syndrome in this field — has anyone here dealt with that? How do you feel being in this industry?

[DramaKing]

I wish that I was 25 when I started, not 32. I don't have impostor syndrome because I have gotten nowhere.

[Bastille]

I wish that I was 25 when I started, not 32. I don't have impostor syndrome because I have gotten nowhere.

Few years ago, someone said something on HF that I'll never forget :

The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is now.

But I know what you mean, we aways look / compare at others and are rarely satisfied of ourseleves.

You actually seem really knowledgeable on the subject — you haven't been a mentor for nothing.

Don’t you work in the field?

[Phantom_NiNja]

Guys, I took part in a hacker event in France, and when I see the level of some of those guys, I feel so ridiculous.

Even though I’ve got the skills to work as a level 2 SOC analyst (which is not that bad I think), it feels like nothing compared to those war machines who’ve been doing this since they were 10. It’s incredibly interesting because you learn a ton, but also so frustrating. I went back to school at 25, and I know I’ll never reach their level because they got into this when they were kids. I wish I knew HF when I was 10 damn

I’ve often heard about imposter syndrome in this field — has anyone here dealt with that? How do you feel being in this industry?

Dude people that started at 10 are going to be better than you in the field. No Matter what you do right now you can't reach them.
It doesn't mean you don't belong or suck. Those are the people that you want them to teach you.

The reason is that hacking is not an art and not a science. It's a living style. You have to be fully addicted to your computer to get to their level.
However, I am sure you're better than them at other things. Like socializing and living a life. Those people most likely never had many friends so they grew up on their computers.

Don't feel insulted by them but feel sorry for them because they aint living life.

[DramaKing]

Few years ago, someone said something on HF that I'll never forget :

But I know what you mean, we aways look / compare at others and are rarely satisfied of ourseleves.

You actually seem really knowledgeable on the subject — you haven't been a mentor for nothing.

Don’t you work in the field?

Last company decided that they didn't want me anymore. After that I haven't been able to get a job stocking shelves. It's the temp positions and short-term jobs that killed me.

---

Oh, and competing with the AI bots for jobs is discouraging.

[Bastille]

The reason is that hacking is not an art and not a science. It's a living style. You have to be fully addicted to your computer to get to their level.
However, I am sure you're better than them at other things. Like socializing and living a life. Those people most likely never had many friends so they grew up on their computers.

Don't feel insulted by them but feel sorry for them because they aint living life.

You’re bringing up an important point here, and it’s true — they actually mentioned it themselves.
When I told them I envied them for starting so early compared to me, many of them replied that, on the contrary, they envied me for having enjoyed my youth more.
Aside of living their youth alone, some even shared that they now suffer from things like sleep issues, or that when they walk into a store, they feel compelled to analyze everything they could potentially hack — to the point where it becomes obsessive and hard to live with.

I think we often look at what others have that we don’t, and envy it, without seeing the full picture.

[webdev77]

I know I’ll never reach their level because they got into this when they were kids.

While I understand your reasoning, this isn't entirely true. New methodologies and entire segments of tech pop up all the time. The majority of people currently working on LLMs didn't start doing so until within the last decade or so, most likely not until 2017 or later and not true mainstream attention until almost 2021. Hard to believe ChatGPT only launched in 2022 as a real commercial product. There will be more revolutionary transformations in the future just like modern LLMs have caused.

You can be old and still learn how to become an expert at new things. It's naturally easier to learn when younger for certain, but having decades of experience is also exceptionally useful because what's old tends to become new again with new marketing attached.

[Bastille]

Last company decided that they didn't want me anymore. After that I haven't been able to get a job stocking shelves. It's the temp positions and short-term jobs that killed me.

---

Oh, and competing with the AI bots for jobs is discouraging.

Wish you good luck to get back on track man, you've a lot of useful knowledge.

You can be old and still learn how to become an expert at new things. It's naturally easier to learn when younger for certain, but having decades of experience is also exceptionally useful because what's old tends to become new again with new marketing attached.

haha
Yeah, I hope I'll reach that level / expertise one day, but it's still kinda discouraging to compare to others who are way youngers haha

[Phantom_NiNja]

You’re bringing up an important point here, and it’s true — they actually mentioned it themselves.
When I told them I envied them for starting so early compared to me, many of them replied that, on the contrary, they envied me for having enjoyed my youth more.
Aside of living their youth alone, some even shared that they now suffer from things like sleep issues, or that when they walk into a store, they feel compelled to analyze everything they could potentially hack — to the point where it becomes obsessive and hard to live with.

I think we often look at what others have that we don’t, and envy it, without seeing the full picture.

I knew that at a young age. This goes hand in hand with rich people and famous people. You don't know how their life is until you become part of it in some way.

For computer programming to get as good as a hacker you can't have a life. You have to dedicate your whole life to working code.

[ttbr0]

Guys, I took part in a hacker event in France, and when I see the level of some of those guys, I feel so ridiculous.

Even though I’ve got the skills to work as a level 2 SOC analyst (which is not that bad I think), it feels like nothing compared to those war machines who’ve been doing this since they were 10. It’s incredibly interesting because you learn a ton, but also so frustrating. I went back to school at 25, and I know I’ll never reach their level because they got into this when they were kids. I wish I knew HF when I was 10 damn

I’ve often heard about imposter syndrome in this field — has anyone here dealt with that? How do you feel being in this industry?

im going to be blunt and not sugarcoat things because i want to give it to you straight and not feed any delusions.

the reality is that there are hackers who can do things that you can only dream of. the technical ceiling is so high that you cannot possibly fathom it at your level as an l2 soc analyst. an l2 soc analyst is near the bottom of the skill ladder. but does it mean you are a script kiddie? no. script kiddies are a combination of bad mindset and skill. you have the correct mindset and you just need the time to build the skills. people who have been hacking for over a decade since they were 10 are obviously going to be better than you. you are still beginning in your journey and realize that all you need is time and persistence. comparison is the thief of joy so do not compare yourself so critically to others. compare yourself to yourself yesterday and look at others as motivation so you can aspire to reach their level of skill.

the gift of knowledge is cursed with knowing that you know nothing. you will continue to feel this more and more as you grow. but embrace it and let it feed your desire for knowledge. and its not about the destination. take pride and learn to love the need to continue learning and you will go long and far. this is a marathon, not a sprint. and i guarantee you that you know things that even the best hackers dont. there are many things that you know that i dont.

one thing i would like to mention is that i have a lot of younger coworkers and they are internationally competitive hackers. they know so much more than i do at work, but there are also things that i know much more than they do. this isnt a bad thing, we can learn and help each other get better. our individual experiences and knowledge give us unique perspectives and that makes us special in our own way. one day i hope you will be the same.

[Bastille]

the gift of knowledge is cursed with knowing that you know nothing. you will continue to feel this more and more as you grow. but embrace it and let it feed your desire for knowledge. and its not about the destination. take pride and learn to love the need to continue learning and you will go long and far.

Love this. I went back to school at 25 — before that, I did nothing but drugs and partying. Compared to who I was, I'm now at a level I couldn't have imagined 7 years ago.

this is a marathon, not a sprint. and i guarantee you that you know things that even the best hackers dont. there are many things that you know that i dont.

I feel that I was just warming and I need to kick it up a notch. I'm loosing too much time doing stupid things such as watching dumb YouTube videos, I need to focus more on hacking / cybersecurity

one thing i would like to mention is that i have a lot of younger coworkers and they are internationally competitive hackers. they know so much more than i do at work, but there are also things that i know much more than they do. this isnt a bad thing, we can learn and help each other get better. our individual experiences and knowledge give us unique perspectives and that makes us special in our own way. one day i hope you will be the same.

You're right, thanks for your wise words man, sometimes I can be rude with myself

[Fish]

Guys, I took part in a hacker event in France, and when I see the level of some of those guys, I feel so ridiculous.

Even though I’ve got the skills to work as a level 2 SOC analyst (which is not that bad I think), it feels like nothing compared to those war machines who’ve been doing this since they were 10. It’s incredibly interesting because you learn a ton, but also so frustrating. I went back to school at 25, and I know I’ll never reach their level because they got into this when they were kids. I wish I knew HF when I was 10 damn

I’ve often heard about imposter syndrome in this field — has anyone here dealt with that? How do you feel being in this industry?

Impostor syndrome is real. It affects everyone. I feel like I’m always at that point where I know shit but just looking back I can see how far I’ve come…

[Omniscient]

Fuck school. Your mission, find something to build from zero and make it happen. By the time you're done, you've got a degree.

I been computing since about 11 years old (1981). Can't say I'm the level of hacker others are. But I am pretty damn good at computing and what I do. The point, be good at whatever it is you do. Learn, surround yourself with it, and just keep at it till you know you're not an imposter. Until you are the master.