How to College: First Gen: Recent Episodes
How To College
We are first-generation college graduates that created How to College: First Gen in an effort to democratize education and information.
You will hear from high schoolers exploring the college admissions process, college students tackling the challenges of being among the first in their families to get to college, graduates that are opening doors to opportunities a college degree can provide, and parents of first gens that may be worried about what this all means.
www.howtocollegefirstgen.org
In our final episode Shiv, Sandra, Luz, and Norma reflect on what the experience has been like being part of HTC, including lessons learned, key takeaways, favorite episodes, and what is next for the podcast.
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In this episode, Shiv explores the inspiring journey of Mohammed Ahmad, MIT Sloan MBA student and First Generation/Low Income Club president, as they discuss his upbringing in India, his remarkable achievements in a top undergraduate program, and his transition to the United States for graduate studies.
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In this episode Luz chats with college grads Brenda and Jennifer about their career journeys and what they have found to be fulfilling from the jobs and/or industries they have been working in and the reasoning for making changes along the way.
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Get ready for an uplifting episode of How to College: First Gen. Host Sandra Fernandez sits down with the amazing Maria Ochoa-Chalico, a first-gen college student who has conquered incredible challenges and now shares her wisdom with others.
In this episode, Maria takes us on a journey through her own experience as a first-gen college student. She shares the ups and downs of navigating higher education as a single mother, and how she managed to overcome obstacles and achieve her dreams. Her journey reminds us that resilience and determination can lead to incredible success.
But Maria's story doesn't stop there! She also shares how she was able to apply the lessons she learned during her college journey to support her daughter through her own college application process. Maria emphasizes the importance of being there for your child and providing them with the guidance they need to thrive.
Maria shares the significance of understanding timelines, researching scholarships early on, and continuously seeking out resources throughout the process. Maria's firsthand experience and insights provide a wealth of knowledge for other parents who are embarking on this journey with their children.
Join us for this lively and informative episode as Sandra and Maria show us how the power of education and supportive parenting can create a brighter future. Whether you're a first-gen student, a parent, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.
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In this episode HTC intern Destiny chats with college student Layell about the importance of being able to pinpoint mental health resources on your campus and how it can potentially be essential to finding your new normal.
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In this episode Luz chats with Madeline who shares her journey from college/trade school to becoming a radiology technician and eventually an entrepreneur and how her work-life balance has been challenged and adapted to each stage of her life.
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In this episode, your host Sandra sits down with two high school seniors, Jaquelin Franco and Evelyn Hernandez, to talk about their experiences with the college application and selection process.
As first-generation college students, Jaquelin and Evelyn faced unique challenges and uncertainties throughout their journey. They share their perspectives on navigating the complex application process, from researching schools to filling out forms and finding financial aid.
Sandra also delves into the factors that influenced their decisions, including family expectations, financial considerations, and personal goals. Jaquelin and Evelyn offer valuable insights on how they weighed their options and made their final choices.
Join us as we explore the highs and lows of the college application process through the eyes of two remarkable young women. Whether you're a student or a parent, you won't want to miss this episode of "How to College: First Gen."
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In this episode, Shiv sits down with Gurjinder Toor, a first gen Punjabi American from the University of Houston. We will dive into his experiences pursuing a degree in Psychology and then pivoting into the fascinating world of computer science.
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Reaching life milestones can be both an exciting and stressful experience. This is especially true when doing so as a first-generation college student. However, when you allow yourself to embrace the experience and appreciate the process, you will succeed.
On this episode of ‘How to College: First Gen,’ HTC intern, Destiny McBurrough and guest, Ja’Nyah Hargrove discuss the topic of senioritis and advice on how to combat the issue. Join them as they cover Hargrove’s first experience with the looming anxiety to her current only two months from her college graduation.
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We know college can be overwhelming, especially for first-gen students. In this episode of 'How to College: First-Gen,' join our host Sandra Fernandez and guest Sandra Martinez as they share their self-care tips to help you feel great, recharge, and stay motivated! From taking breaks to connecting with friends, we'll give you lots of ideas and inspiration to maintain your mental health and balance your college life.
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In this episode Adnan and Collins talk through the transition from being a college student to a full time working young professional. They discuss things that they learned during this transition and things they wish they knew (what school did not teach them).
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In this episode, Shiv chats with Mark Membreno about his family's journey from Nicaragua, his experience as a first gen American, and his passion for tackling affordable housing.
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In this episode, Luz chats with Alex (one of our High School interns) about how she has navigated the college process and specifically, how she has prepared and done in her college admissions interviews. College interviews, which are often optional components of the admissions application, are a great way for students to showcase who they are beyond what has been submitted in the college application and can usually only help boost your application.
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In this episode, Norma chats with Shiv about his professional sabbatical. They discuss personal choices taken, how they communicated with their coworkers, and the unique hurdles first-gens face both personally and socially when considering to take a break from work.
In this episode Norma chats with first generation college graduate Edgar who shares his journey of being able to leverage mentors, sponsors, and coaches in his educational and professional career. Asking for help is crucial for the first generation journey, but knowing what to ask and from whom is one of the most important aspects of succeeding in this journey.
For many, success after college can be influenced by their professional networks. In this episode, Sandra chats with Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson, about leadership and the importance of formal and informal networks for post-college success. They discuss how networks can be built from friends and family members and how professional networks can open opportunities.
Sandra and Dr. Cantu-Wilson both share personal experiences on the impact of networking on their personal and professional love, how people they met through their networks have helped them along the way, and tips on how to approach making the most of the networks you’re already part of.
Hear from first-generation college graduate, former college athlete, and current Process Engineer, Ryan Angelo. Ryan shares his journey of studying physics at a liberal arts college and the benefits his interdisciplinary education has had on his career development. While some employment opportunities are fully-remote, without an in-person option, this week's episode centers around working remotely for a company that does have an in-person option. Ryan shares his experience of transitioning from in-person work to remote work, and how working from home impacts his professional development and colleague relationships.
In this episode, Shiv and Adnan discuss their undergraduate journeys breaking the traditional 4 year myth. They walk through their decision process to graduate in 5 years, share what they learned along the way, and provide advice for any first gens facing similar questions.
In this episode Luz chats with Navea about some of the benefits of being part of ERG’s in the workplace, including a sense of community and opportunity to learn leadership skills.
In this episode, Adnan has a chat with Monica Floyd about the UH challenger program, its origins, and how it helps the first-generation student population at UH. They also talk through the first gen student experience and why Monica chose her career path.
In this episode, Sandra chats with Myrna Galan about how her 30-year career in graphic design, how she built her successful business, and the advice she gives up-and-coming designers.
Amanda sits down with Clinical Social Worker, Brittany Louk, to talk about her college involvement experiences that she now utilizes in her career and daily life.
First-generation immigrant and college graduate Maria shares her journey about why and how she learned the importance of financial wellbeing and how she now helps others begin their own journeys towards understanding how to manage their finances.
In this episode, Luz chats with Maria about how and why she became interested in financial literacy and how her relationship with money has changed along the way. As first gens and/or immigrants many of us may not always have the most solid financial education and know-how to make sure we are setting ourselves up for a healthy financial future so it’s key to take a step back and make sure we evaluate where we are in our financial journeys and where to go from there.
Our guest, Angie ponders about the tradeoffs of going back to school after 10 years to finish her degree; she has an honest conversation about the “why” and how she defines success and her north star.
For our 100th episode, Adnan, Amanda, Sandra, and Shiv talk about what they wish they could have told their high school selves about the college application process and their college journeys.
We are excited to introduce our newest co-host, Adnan. In this episode, he will introduce himself and talk about his journey and a valuable life lesson he learned while graduating!
We are excited to introduce our newest co-host, Sandra! In this new episode, she will introduce herself and share a little about her own first-gen college journey.
In this short episode, get to know Amanda as she takes listeners on her journey to, through, and post-college as a first-generation college student. Amanda discusses how the intersection of her experiences and her hometown led her to a passion for community building + engagement.
In this episode, Shiv invites the Jikaria Sisters to share their experiences becoming social media influencers while managing their individual careers in business, law, and engineering.
In celebration of our second anniversary our hosts Norma, Luz, and Alejandro sat down to chat about the presence their parents have had during their college journeys. They chat about how they were able to involve their parents in this new journey, the challenges they encountered in getting their parents to understand their new lives, and how they navigated wearing different hats at home.
From consulting to entrepreneur, our guest Angela shares her journey finding her purpose, learning about living an authentic life, and how she now helps others realign with their own purpose.
In this episode, Shiv chats with Urvi (Binita) Patel about whether she believes her journey through law school has been worth it; especially given the significant investment and sacrifice her family took to make this goal possible. Bini has an honest conversation about how she is maximizing her opportunity at law school and her future career aspirations.
In this episode, Norma chats with Alejandro about his journey to, through, and post business school; Alejandro tells an honest narrative about being a first generation college student and his rationale for taking debt for business school.
In this episode, Alejandro chats with Francisco about how he leveraged his skills and experiences as a high school Spanish teacher to break into the tech industry.
In this episode Luz chats with Daniel about what his journey has been like to become a physical therapist, what his job entails, and what his experience was like paying for it.
In this episode, Shiv invites Shukan to share his experiences pursuing undergraduate internships and navigating the full-time job market as he graduated mid-pandemic.
In this episode, Ginny chats with author and financial aid counselor Trae about the financial aid process and FAFSA, including questions like what happens if my financial aid gets denied or can I appeal my financial aid?
In this episode, Alejandro chats with Antoinette about how she drew from her strengths in financial literacy, academia, and career preparation to build her side hustle in college.
In this episode we hear from Angel who reflects on what it meant for him and his family to take on approximately $80,000 of parent plus loans. Angel very thoughtfully discusses how and why he made the decision to transfer out of art school before incurring any more debt. He ultimately answers if it was worth it for him and his family and if he would do it all over again.
In this episode Luz chats with our very own intern Destiny who transferred schools after her first year in college into a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). She tells us about why she made the decision and how the experience at a HBCU compares.
In this episode, Ginny sits down with junior student Tati to discuss her journey transitioning from a two year college to a four year university. Tati discusses how she felt before and after her transition and whether she would choose the same path again.
In this episode, we delve into the world of health and medicine. Pursuing medicine can feel like a long and nebulous process, especially for first-gen students. In today’s episode, Shiv welcomes current medical student Sanam Bhakta to the show.
In this episode Norma chats with fellow first gen and parent Blanca who reflects on her educational journey and how that led to her life’s mission of helping other parents understand the college journey.
In this episode, Alejandro invites Iman to share her experiences attending a predominantly white institution and how she found spaces where she felt seen. Today’s episode covers a topic that a lot of first-generation students experience - attending a predominantly white institution–commonly known as a PWI. For a lot of people of color, but especially Black people, attending a PWI can feel like a very isolating experience.
In this episode, Ginny sits down with freshman student Kristy to talk about the adjustment for high school and college and how she has changed her study habits from first to second semester.
In this special partnership episode with First Gen Support, guest hosts Itzel and Alex chat with Yeleni about what it was like to prepare a list of colleges to apply to, including considerations to take, recommendations for a thought out list, and challenges that can arise.
Meet Shiv, one of our new co-hosts. He is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Houston. He shares his story growing up in his family’s motels, understanding his personal/cultural identity, and his continuing journey of self-discovery.
In January many people set goals, but how do we sustain these goals over time so that they become habits? In this episode Norma chats with Lilian who talks about some habits that will help first gens make their journey enjoyable and sustainable post every January.
In this episode, Alejandro chats with Zafar, an HBCU graduate, to discuss his journey to building his career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and how first-generation students can enter the profession.
In this episode, Ginny sits down with Florida Consortium executive director Michael to discuss how being involved on campus can benefit a student during their college journey. The college experience and getting an education is more than what happens in the classroom.
Meet Ginny, one of our newest co-hosts. A Vanderbilt University graduate and University of Central Florida doctorate, she shares her story of the anticipation of getting into college, feeling completely out of her league in college, and the struggles she faced post-graduation. Ginny also talks about the works she does now helping first gen students through her work at Support our Scholars.
Meet Alejandro, one of our new co-hosts. He is a first-generation college graduate from St. Edward’s University and a DACA recipient. He shares his story growing up in Houston’s 5th Ward and learning how his citizenship status determined the resources he had access to.
In this episode, Cody sits down with three first gens (Juan, Tomie, and Ken) to talk about their experiences as first generation college students who grew up in rural communities.
There can oftentimes be many challenges that rural first generation students face in their community and educational settings. Some communities or schools lack resources or financial capital, some struggle with access to basic needs such as housing, transportation, healthcare, etc. and some are not located near many colleges or universities making it a challenge for their students to explore those schools and visa versa.
In this episode, Cody sits down with two first gens (Cheyenne and Richy) to talk about their experiences at Art-specific Colleges and in creative industries.
In this episode we hear from fellow first gen Julio who discusses how he transferred from law school, his reasons, and ultimately how this decision changed the trajectory of his career and life.
What do lawyers do? Why go to law school? In this episode we hear from fellow first gen Cindy who discusses what questions she asked herself to see if law was the right career for her, what skill set she learned in law school, and what she currently does as a civil litigator.
Happy National First-Generation College Student day! To celebrate we sat down with Oscar Garcia, a first gen himself who is the founder/CEO of his own consulting practice and who has been serving the first gen community throughout his career. Listen to how his journey and lessons learned along the way have turned him into a renowned public speaker and writer who hopes to promote more diversity and inclusion.
In this episode Luz chats with Erika as she shares her experience as she navigated her identity, figured out how to make the most out of her college experience, and figuring out her place in the world. Tune in to learn from her lessons learned along the way and as she shares valuable advice for students.
In this episode, Luz chats with newly appointed board member Mac as he walks us through his journey to and through college and in finding his passions with helping and mentoring students via student affairs, service, and civic engagement. Tune in to learn from his lessons learned along the way and as he shares valuable advice for students.
In this episode, Cody sits down with high school student Aniya, college student Michael, and college grad Miguel to discuss the pressure of being the first to go to college in their family and how they dealt with the stress and anxiety that comes along with it.
Yes, you can begin building wealth in your 20s! In this episode Norma chats with fellow first gen Sophia who discusses with us her relationship with money and what choices she has made to balance her short term needs with her long term vision of financial freedom.
We don’t always know what college major or career path is right for us. In this episode we hear from fellow first gens Sara and Elaine that decided to change their majors in college to better align with their interests and how that experience unfolded. They offer some considerations they considered when making the decision, the impacts of the change, and some tips for students.
In this episode, Cody sits down with a first gen professional Jeanette who works as an Admissions Counselor. She speaks to both her experiences with essays and what colleges are looking for in essays.
College essays are in integral part of the college application process and other applications such as scholarships. In this episode Cody chats with 2 first gens (Thien and Allison) about how to make the most out of that writing opportunity to stand out in the application process.
In this episode, Norma chats with fellow first generation college students Sofia and Erick about their experiences with letters of recommendations to obtain admissions for colleges and graduate schools. We chat about key elements that make up a great letter, steps to getting letters, and key tips to stay connected to their recommenders.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students Yahaira and Clara about what their experience was like to study abroad during college and grad school and what that entails. We chat about feeling homesick, learning so much more than what you imagined, and the different options students have to receive an abroad education. They also offer some great tips and recommendations to help students considering studying abroad.
In this episode, Cody sits down with three first gens (Jessenia, Stephanie, and Brandon) to discuss the importance of visiting a college and specifically, fly-in opportunities where colleges transport students to their campus and host them for a series of tours and events.
In this episode, Dan interviews three guests, Katie, Mariam, and Kayla, to talk about their first gen identities and their pride that comes with being First Gen. Overall, it’s important to have faith in yourself, ask for help, and remember that you do belong and that you are capable of greatness!
We’re celebrating our 1 year anniversary with friends of How to College: First Gen in a panel format just to make it that much more special. Fabio shares his story of how he grew up with many other first gen college students in his community and why it’s important for him to support other first gens. Avdeep shares her family’s immigration story and how she thinks it’s important to support all students including First Generation, Low Income, Immigrant students and more. Last but not least, Julia talks about how she had to find information on her own as an aspiring first generation student through high school, which motivated her to start First Gen Support.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students Shree, Mason, and Josh about what their experience has been like with establishing, building, and maintaining their communities of support. Learn about how personal relationships and communities of support help our fellow first-gens navigate their academic, moral, and personal journeys and keep them going.
In this episode Norma chats with first gen college graduate Yani about what it's like to build, maintain, and continue to expand your network after graduating and once you're out in the workforce. She offers key tips from her experience and explains why networking is such a valuable thing and why it has become part of her DNA.
In this episode, Norma chats with high school student Johnny and college student Meagan both first-gens who have learned that what matters the most in this world is the relationships that you make throughout your life. They speak about their experiences with building their own networks and offer some tips and lessons learned for initiating and maintaining those relationships.
To celebrate Pride Month in June, Cody sits down with two first gens (Omar and Rudy) and discusses their experiences on college campuses as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ community has faced it’s fair share of discrimination and challenges in our nation’s history, even in the world of education. Part of going off to college is the aspect of fitting in socially, which is a shared experience for both those within the first gen community and also the LGBTQ+ community.
In this episode, Dan interviews two first gen college graduates, Thien & Queena, about their experiences & opinions on commuting versus living on campus and how that shaped their college journeys.
In this Episode, Mijin introduces the stories of some Asian America/Pacific Islander (AAPI) first gen students and the model minority myth. Steph shares her family’s immigration story and how she understands her bicultural identity, while Donna speaks about her experience with diversity in school and popular media, and Kacia sheds light on the impact of the monolithic stereotype of the model minority myth and her personal experience with it.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students (Julia, Hidai, and Terry) about what their experience has been like with learning about and being involved in internships. We chat about how valuable they can be to help you figure out career goals, learn valuable new skills, and grow as a person.
In this episode we'll explore the experiences of first gen students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), including high school student Maan’s introduction to engineering, college student Ray’s passion for Environmental Science and career exploration, and college grad Cristian’s journey from Cognitive Science to coding.
In this episode, Norma interviews two amazing women (Julissa and Melissa)who navigated the complexities associated with being first generation college students while being phenomenal mothers and role models to small human beings.
To celebrate Educator Appreciation Week, Cody sits down with three first generation students and discusses both their interest and experience in the world of education. Educators not only teach and support first generation students, but many also identify as first generation students themselves. In this episode, we speak with high school senior Hannah planning to major in education, college student Kyliah finishing up her student teaching and professional educator Shamoon.
In this episode, Dan interviews three first gens about their financial wellness and personal finance journeys. You'll hear from John a current college student, Kimani a recent college grad navigating her first job, and Dagmara a more seasoned first gen college grad and Nav.it ambassador.
In this episode, Norma chats with two fellow first-gens (Nathan and Eddie) who highlight their experience being first gens in the armed forces in college and doing ROTC and Westpoint. One of our guests also provides helpful tips for first gen veterans.
In this episode, Cody chats with 3 fellow first-gen professionals who highlight their experience in Career Decision and Preparation. They also provided insight and advice for first gens who are entering the workforce.
This episode was recorded on Thursday March 11th, when the How to College team partnered with the University of Alabama’s First Fellow’s program to offer a live podcast career panel called Career Conversations. During this event, three first generation professionals (Joe Testani, Dr. Gina De Rosier Cook, and Yessenia Mejia) share their expert advice with our first generation audience.
In episode 42, Norma chats with undocumented and first generation college graduate Carolina who shares her journey through getting a PhD with an added layer of complexity and the reasons for starting the resource website My Undocumented Life.
In episode 41, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students (Itzel, Ashley, and Dr. Norman) about what their experience was like to apply and attend graduate school for a doctorate degree program, how they decided that their particular graduate degree (PhD, PsyD, Ed.D) was right for them, and what steps they took to get there.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students about what their experience was like to apply and attend graduate school for a master’s program, how they decided that a graduate degree was right for them, and how it plays into their long term personal and professional goals. In this episode you will hear from college student and master's degree applicant Blanca, current master's degree student Aileen, and master's degree graduate Chris.
In this episode, Cody chats with 3 fellow first-gens who highlight their experience in navigating and completing coursework at a Community College. In this episode you will hear from: Denise (a high school senior), Devin (a Community College graduate), and Daisy (a Community College graduate who now works in Higher Education at a Community College).
“Towards the end of high school, I learned more and broke that stigma in my mind of community college and learned that it was kind of the smartest choice for me at the time. “
In this episode, Dan chats with three first gens (Matthew, Roxxi, and Neche) about their experiences attending college far from home.
In this episode, Norma has a conversation with high school student (Khanh) and college student (Pablo) on what motivated them to volunteer/work on political campaigns and the skills they learned by helping to elect a candidate at the local level.
In this episode Norma chats with Rebecca Acuña about her first generation story, her political career in communication, and how she ended up leading President Biden’s revolutionary and bold idea to turn Texas blue.
In this episode Mijin chats with first generation international college student, Tona and high school student applying as a first gen international student, Mario about the nuances of being a first generation international student especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meet board member Irma Munoz. In this episode, Dan chats with Irma as she shares her life journey. While Irma faced several challenges early on, such as being an undocumented student as well as learning English as a second language, that did not stop her from pursuing her goals and proving all those who doubted her wrong. Irma reminds us of the importance of asking for help, and letting those around us in to help: sometimes it’s a teacher, a nonprofit organization, or your professor. Irma also raises the importance of being practical and remembering the importance of family as her and her husband made major career decisions. Irma’s story is truly inspiring and motivates us to do what we can to help others.
Meet board member Dr. Roland Smith.In this episode Luz chats with Dr. Smith who shares his first gen story and some life lessons. As we hear from Dr. Smith’s story, sometimes life throws you curveballs - from finding out you have a learning disability like dyslexia to being thrown in jail for advocating for student rights, life gives you lessons among the chaos. Dr. Smith truly has a fascinating story and with every step of the way he has learned to reevaluate and learn from others as well as help pave the way for future generations.
Meet board member Ashley "Bird" Williams. In this episode, Norma chats with Bird as she discusses the pressures of being the first one in her family to graduate from college, how her parents influenced her entrepreneurship mindset, and how she ended up as an investment banker analyst in New York but decided to risk it all to figure out what she was born to do and what her calling is in this world. She reminds us to continue to put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the process of the journey.
In this episode Cody chats with 2 first generation students (Okechi and Vedette) about the Fellowship for Serving African American Communities at Harvard’s Kennedy School and the increased learning and professional opportunities they bring among so much more. They highlight their experiences with applying, navigating, and building on their experience with the fellowship.
In this episode Cody chats with 2 first generation students (Raymi and Rodrigo) about the US Latino Leadership Fellowship at Harvard’s Kennedy School and the increased learning and professional opportunities they bring among so much more. They highlight their experiences with applying, navigating, and building on their experience with the fellowship.
In this episode, Norma chats with two first generation college students who had DACA and now have been able to adjust their immigration status, while continuing to serve immigrant communities in their jobs at Harvard University and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Inthis episode Joseph chats with fellow first generation college graduate and current law school student Lacey about being resilient, staying motivated, and the impacts of having to work through each step of her educational journey and how that has shaped her first gen story.
In these "Meet the Host" episodes, each of our current hosts will introduce themselves and share with our audience a little about their own personal first-gen stories.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Dan's first gen journey from when he first moved to Cleveland, Ohio, from the east coast, and how his life was radically changed forever. He will talk about the many different people and opportunities that came along that led him to excel in high school, attend multiple colleges and universities, and ultimately attend and graduate from an Ivy League university with no debt. Dan truly believes that the power of mentorship goes a long way and hopes you’ll see that too, after hearing his story.
In these "Meet the Host" episodes, each of our current hosts will introduce themselves and share with our audience a little about their own personal first-gen stories.
In this episode, you will hear about what it was like for Norma to be a low income, undocumented first generation college student at Rice and Harvard University. She will talk about the lows and highs and things she wished she knew sooner throughout her first gen journey.
In these "Meet the Host" episodes, each of our current hosts will introduce themselves and share with our audience a little about their own personal first-gen stories.
In this episode, you’ll hear how despite education not being a priority in Luz's family, she was fortunate to have educators along her journey steer her in the right direction and provide the support to get her thinking about college and ultimately graduate from Rice University. You’ll also hear about some of the bumps along the way, what she thinks about when she reflects on her time in college, and how the journey continues after college.
In these "Meet the Host" episodes, each of our current hosts will introduce themselves and share with our audience a little about their own personal first-gen stories.
In this episode, you’ll hear how a local scholarship program, called the George Washington Gale Scholars, helped Cody discover that he was a First Generation student and helped him pay for his college degrees at Carl Sandburg College and Knox College. You’ll also hear about the highs and lows of his college experience and how a post-college experience helped lead him to his eventual career as a Postsecondary School Counselor. He takes all of the lessons he has learned along the way and uses those to assist the next generation of first gen students and help them find career clarity and success.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students about their approach to financing their college education with scholarships and some of the tips they offer to help students with finding and applying to scholarships as well as additional benefits that can come from the scholarship application process.
Guests: High School - Mohamed; College - Jennifer; Graduate School - Heather
In this episode, Norma chats with two first generation college students (Arturo and Denise) about the complexity associated with being a first gen undocumented student and what DACA meant for both of them. Check out our website for more resources!
In this episode, Cody chats with 3 fellow first-gens who highlight their experiences of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and navigating the financial aid process for college.
In this episode, Dan chats with 3 fellow first-gens who highlight their experiences when taking a leave of absence or when deferring graduate school for a year.
Inthis episode Joseph chats with fellow first gen Jessica, who has been working through a work study job on top of an additional clinical job to both get experience in the field of medicine to prepare her for applying to med school and to help her fund her educational expenses so she doesn’t have to ask her parents for money.
In this episode, Luz chats with a fellow first generation college grad Mr. John about his experience as an immigrant, figuring out college during the 70s, his journey post college, and his thoughts of seeing his own daughters go to college as a first-gen turned parent.
In this episode Norma chats with fellow first gen and friend Tiffany, who moved to Houston for college and eventually made her way to Northern Ireland where she has been transforming the coffee in her village with her own coffee and bunk house business.
In honor of National First Generation College Students Day on November 8, in this episode, our four How to College: First Gen founders (Norma, Luz, Mijin, and Joseph) have a conversation about what it means to be first-gen, why this podcast was started, and some fun facts to get to know each other.
In this episode, Norma chats with fellow first generation students on some of the gaps they observed at their schools and how by becoming self-starters and innovators they have been able to leave behind a legacy.
In this episode, Norma discusses with a college student (Truc), and graduate student (Lexx) on how they are making the best of their studies as they navigate the complexity of being first gens in the time of Covid-19.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students about some of the challenges or obstacles we often face when getting the courage to ask for help with our classes and some of the ways we can rethink and overcome those challenges to reward us with better understanding.
In this episode, Luz chats with fellow first generation college students on the level of involvement their parents took during their educational journeys and the ways we as students can involve our parents and share the journey.
In this episode, Norma discusses with high school student, Michelle the level of complexity Covid-19 has brought to her college applications and some tricks and tips to make the situation better for our high school seniors.
In this episode, Joseph explores Imposter Syndrome. What is it, and how does it relate to the experience of being a First-Gen? This is the third episode of a 3-part series following some First-Gen friends in their journeys before, during, and after college. In this episode you will hear from German, an old friend from Rice working as a mechanical engineer in the petrochemical space in Houston.
In this episode, Joseph explores Imposter Syndrome. What is it, and how does it relate to the experience of being a First-Gen? This is the second episode of a 3-part series following some First-Gen friends in their journeys before, during, and after college. In this episode you will hear from Jasmine, a rising Junior at St. Mary’s University.
In this episode, Norma discusses the evolution of three first generation college students on identity formation exploring the question of who am I and how college has shaped the person I am today.
En este episodio, Luz conversa con María, una madre con cuatro hijos de primera generación de ir a la universidad, para hablar sobre el papel crucial que juegan los padres al apoyar a sus hijos durante su camino a la universidad.
In this episode, Luz chats with first-gen parent Maria to discuss the crucial part parents play in supporting their children throughout their college journeys.
In this episode, Joseph explores Imposter Syndrome. What is it, and how does it relate to the experience of being a First-Gen? This is the first of a 3-part series following some First-Gen friends in their journeys before, during, and after college. In this episode you will hear from Karen, a recent grad from Houston’s the Awty International school and a rising freshman at Rice University.
In this episode, Joseph discusses how choosing a major is not a binding commitment to future post-college plans or opportunities but instead should serve as an opportunity to pursue potentially multiple interests in-depth.
In this episode, Norma discusses the evolution of three first generation college students on why they decided to take the leap of faith and become the first ones in their families to attend college.
In this episode, Norma discusses the key role mentors have played in the evolution of three first generation college students beginning with how they first obtained mentors all the way to how mentors have shaped their life choices. In addition, our guests provide some tips for how you can best build and establish relationships with mentors.
In this episode, Mijin discusses the evolution of three first generation college students on their thoughts and experiences with taking on student loans to pursue their college degrees.
Norma, Joseph, Luz, and Mijin are all first-generation college graduates that began the podcast How to College: First Gen in an effort to democratize education and information. As first-gens that have experienced the process of going to and through college, they are delighted to be able to share some of the insight and lessons learned along the way.