Welcome back to the next episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth.

Hosted by Sophie Poduval-Morrell, this episode tackles a pressing issue many young professionals grapple with: Imposter Phenomenon.

Joining Sophie to explore this topic is Dr. Samantha Strong, a university lecturer recognized for her contributions to education and training, and winner of the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Award for Training & Education in 2024.

Samantha is a senior lecturer at the School of Optometry at Aston University, and shares her fascinating journey of navigating imposter feelings. Despite not following a traditional career path, she highlights the importance of embracing unique experiences and skills, proving that differences can be strengths rather than weaknesses.Samantha’s process of overcoming imposter feelings wasn’t instantaneous but gradual. Key to her progress was accepting mentorship and being open to receiving constructive feedback. Now in a position of influence, Samantha passionately supports her students by openly discussing challenges, making herself a relatable mentor and reinforcing the culture of kindness and empathy. This approach aims to dismantle the daunting walls of self-doubt that many young professionals face today.

You can get in touch with Samantha via her LinkedIn.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.