I find it intensely aggravating that I’m apparently “not allowed” to be confident in my own knowledge and skills. Historically, I’ve always been rather reserved when it comes to promoting my own self-worth and skillset, as I hate bragging. I also realize that in order to get ahead in life, you do need to be confident in what you’re capable of. So, I have to tread the fine line between being confident and “tooting my own horn,” so to speak.

But here’s the rub: I’m noticing that almost every time I talk about what I’ve read about, or learned in class, or otherwise faced in the course of my work and life experience…I’m questioned, challenged, or brushed off.

For example, when people ask me about computer security as it pertains to operating systems, I explain that Linux and Mac OS X are the most secure OSes available to the average consumer. Microsoft Windows may have the dominant marketshare, but such fame comes with the obvious price that it’s the primary target for malware and other attacks. Add to that the decades of empirical evidence documenting serious security flaws in every iteration of Windows, and I’ve got a pretty solid foundation on which to base that proof. Not to mention that I’ve been working with this stuff for well over a decade, and all of my training, instruction, and professional certifications have always pointed to the exact same conclusions.

That seems cut and dry, but when I’m specifically asked about this stuff, my explanations are just laughed at…because I’m a “Mac snob,” or some other such nonsense. I’m sorry, I was unaware that my personal computing preference magically changed the entire security landscape! (I only wish I had that kind of power. I’d become a supervillain overnight!)

The “Mac snob” slur also hit me when I got my bachelor’s degree in graphic design; there were a ton of people out there who steadfastly refused to believe that the Mac platform is the industry standard when it comes to graphic design. Cripes, I’m not just pulling stuff out of my ass because I enjoy working on Macs; it’s a fact!

It’s very frustrating to have years of training and experience challenged or scoffed at like that, especially if it comes from the average joe or others who have not had similar experiences. It’s the same problem as when people ask for my opinion, but they really don’t want it; or, to make a more amusing analogy, it would be like a burger-flipper brushing off a physicist’s documented research.

The worst part of all this? When I try to fight back against challenges by stating my experience, then I sound like an arrogant asshole! I can’t win!

Are my statements correct, or were all of my years of schooling and such a complete lie? I guess it’s up to you to decide.