Software Engineer and Mentor Advocates for Tackling Imposter Syndrome and Building Support Systems in the Workplace
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / September 11, 2025 / Software Engineer II Quinton Maki is using his recent feature interview to spotlight an issue many professionals face but rarely talk about openly: imposter syndrome and the fear of failure. Drawing on his own journey from track star to tech leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Maki is advocating for a culture of mentorship and resilience in engineering and beyond.
"My job is all about failure," Maki said. "The fun part about software engineering is that you can try and try again. Once you get over the fear of failure, you realize it's one of the most important things on the path to growth."
Imposter Syndrome Is Widespread
Maki's message is backed by research. Studies show that up to 70% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at least once in their careers (Journal of Behavioral Science). In the tech sector, a 2022 survey found that 58% of developers reported feeling inadequate despite clear accomplishments.
"Self-doubt and imposter syndrome run rampant in my field, and usually they're unwarranted," Maki explained. "I've learned to disconnect for a bit. Those feelings usually pass in 24 to 48 hours. Giving yourself that space helps you realize they're temporary."
Mentorship as a Solution
Maki has mentored more than a dozen engineers, believing that honest conversations and shared experiences help combat isolation. "Don't be afraid to ask someone smarter than you for help," he said. "Learning how to drop the ego and ask good questions has allowed my growth to skyrocket."
According to a LinkedIn survey, 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company if it invested in their learning and development. Maki sees mentorship as a simple, scalable solution.
"Mentorship isn't just for new hires or juniors. Everyone benefits from having someone to check in with, to remind them they're not alone in their challenges," Maki added.
A Call to Action for Professionals
Maki encourages others to build their own resilience habits. Every three months, he pauses to ask himself three simple questions: Where am I now? Where am I going? Who am I going with?
"As long as I'm happy with two out of three, I know I'm in the right place," he shared. "It's a grounding practice anyone can use, whether they're in tech, education, or any field."
He also urges professionals to start small:
Check in with yourself regularly to measure progress and well-being.
Mentor someone-share lessons you've learned to help someone else grow.
Give yourself space when self-doubt creeps in. Remember it's temporary.
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Quinton Maki
Quinton Maki is a Software Engineer II at Amazon Web Services and a mentor to emerging engineers. He began his career after graduating from Hack Reactor coding bootcamp in 2021, where he finished top of his class before becoming a teacher. He is passionate about resilience, mentorship, and redefining success as a balance of achievement and well-being.
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SOURCE: Quinton Maki
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