This month’s featured First Gen is also outstanding, has a knack for simplicity, and is admirably humble. He pursued his graduate education out-of-state and impressed his classmates by being valedictorian of his graduating class. (I thought I would mention it since he would want to keep it quiet.) 1. What is your name? Charlie Mileski 2. What is your current occupation? Attorney 3. What makes you a first-generation graduate/professional? I am the first person in my immediate family to attend graduate school and to become an attorney. 4. What was your proudest moment as a first generation? And why? My proudest moment as a first generation was my graduation from law school. Law school was stressful and full of challenges. However, I powered through. My entire family attended my graduation, most traveling cross-country. Seeing my parents’ and brothers’ faces and the tears in their eyes as I received high honors and graduated made it all worthwhile. 5. What advice would you give to a first-generation student, graduate, or professional? Always be prepared and always plan for what may happen in the future. As long as you have a set plan and set goals, you will have a personal guide to success. 6. What is your favorite quote? And why? "Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!" [Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss)] This is an amazing quote because there will be mountains to overcome and you'll always need a reminder that you can overcome them! ***Disclaimer: 2016. All rights reserved. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. No reproduction of any content on the website without the express permission of the author. The text, pictures and videos are the sole property of FirstGenRise.
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Dear First Gen, Have you always been told to be patient? I’m betting the answer to that question is a resounding YES! Do you often have to tell others to have patience? Again, probably a YES! Are you good at exercising patience? Well, that may be a different story! Tell me: How do you exercise patience? Dear First Gen, I will be introducing a series entitled Your Take: First Gen Encounters! You will hear first-generation professionals from various backgrounds talk about their challenges and successes. One or two first gens will be spotlighted every month until the end of the year. For me, it helped to know that other people with my background overcame their obstacles and reached their goals. I remember many days and nights where it was easier to give up, but a person’s story of near defeat popped in my head and so I chose to continue in my fight to graduate or applying to jobs. You are not alone in this journey because many others have chartered the same waters and this blog is here for you to see that there are ways to skip those difficult moments or meet them head on with little frustration. The featured first gens rose and so will you! Tell me: Who motivated you to stay on track? Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2016. All rights reserved. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. No reproduction of any content on the website without the express permission of the author. The text, pictures and videos are the sole property of FirstGenRise. Dear First Gen,
Recently, I had a conversation with a fellow first gen and we were sharing our opinions on the proper dress code for work. Depending on the home you were raised in, you may not have grown up with parents who wore “professional” attire. For example, my mom is a Registered Nurse so her uniform was scrubs, a stethoscope and comfortable footwear; my father works in IT so he is expected to wear a dress shirt or polo shirt and dress pants. They dressed me well before I went to school or church growing up, but when I was grown and getting dressed for a business office, where did I learn? Dear First Gen,
Summer is officially here! Many businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits hire interns to help them during the summer, and it is most certainly an invaluable experience. I have had my fair share of internships/externships before I obtained full-time employment in 2012. My internship experience extends beyond the standard one-page resume! Over the next few months, my blog posts will touch on the various ways to make the best of your summer break as well as the start of your (first) job. Click on the video to find out what is in store for you this summer. Tell me: What do you want to learn more about this summer? Dear First Gen,
The Tuesday after Memorial Day is often the start date for many internships, externships, or any other experiential opportunities where you are placed in a professional or business setting. During this important week, it may serve you to know some professional etiquette for written correspondence with your supervisor, fellow intern/extern, or anyone else you are communicating with. As early as middle school, we were taught the difference between a business letter and a personal letter, and much of those lessons stand true today. But there’s always room for adjustment. Personally, it took me a few attempts to decide on the salutation and signature that was both proper and fitting of my personality. Every so often, I switch my greeting and sign-off depending on the recipient, i.e. a judge, legislator, dignitary, or colleague. Here are a few suggestions: On May 21, I hosted a launch party for the First Gen Rise blog! Many of my family and friends were in attendance to show their support and previewed the blog. There was plenty of feedback and a few volunteered to be guest bloggers, so you can look forward to seeing some other perspectives on here soon.
Tell me: What would you like to read on the blog? Here are a few pictures taken that day: Dear First Gen, Four years ago on this day--on May 20, 2012—I graduated from Hofstra University School of Law. It was the (second) best day of my life, since passing the Maryland Bar as a first-time taker was a huge triumph! On graduation day, I reflected on a few struggles that seemed very big at the time, but were minor in hindsight. Law school taught me that nothing is guaranteed until the very moment it is to happen. My grandmother—then my last living grandparent—told me she would be attending my graduation. I was in disbelief because she had trouble getting on and off airplanes, and I did not want to put her through the trouble. As grandparents do, she said she would be there and I had no doubt about it. I was so glad I could make her proud! I recall speaking to some of my classmates and hearing a few of their comments that I may have initially been admitted to the school based on meeting a certain criteria rather than based on my merit as a potential law student. It was disheartening, but it helped to know which students may not be the ones to interact with...ever! I did not pay attention to those comments and persevered through the toughest days and nights of my life. Many graduates would say the life of a 1L (first year law school student), 2L (second year law school student) and 3L (third year law school student) are noticeably different, and to learn the differences as quickly as possible. DITTO! Dear First Gen,
This past week, my family and I have been coping with the loss of my "great-uncle" (my mother's uncle) and planning his funeral. He planted the seeds for my family’s American Dream by legally bringing my mom's family to the U.S. His actions were the catalyst that gave me an opportunity for a good education and unlimited professional opportunities. As a child, I often heard the stories of his dream of wanting a lawyer in the family before he left this earth. I never imagined it would be me since my sights were set on being a doctor—Dr. Irnande Altema had a nice ring to it! Although I went to law school in the state where he lived, he was unable to attend my graduation because of his illness but I knew he was proud of me that day. I often wondered how my mother had so much optimism and faith in a world where I felt the odds were stacked against us. It was her uncle who instilled great values and resilience in my mother; but I did not appreciate (or tap into) that until I was faced with a very tough decision. |
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