Dear First Gen, There is lots of reading in college and continues to be even more voluminous in graduate school. The final year of college was an interesting time for me. I was a pre-med student, but I was not headed to medical school. I suddenly found myself wondering, “Where do I go? What do I do now? Should I find a job or attend a graduate program?” During winter break, I began to map out my next steps. I spoke with my mother about my options since I was not going to be a medical student the following year. She could not give me an answer during our conversation, but reassured me that an opportunity would present itself. I was unaware at that time that she planned to do some research on my behalf, and she later shared what she found. She came across several master’s programs that created a path to help me enter medical school, as well as several policy programs. She assisted in the only way she knew to help relieve my feelings of despair. After I reviewed the list of programs she had found, I applied to several and visited their campuses during orientation. I sat down with my mother again and told her about my likes and dislikes for each of the programs. She primarily liked Georgetown University’s M.S. in Biomedical Policy & Advocacy Program because it was close to home, while I liked the courses and the fact that it was a one-year program. This program matched my interests in policy and the sciences. I was impressed that my mother picked this program, and proud of her for having listened to me for several years and researching programs that would enhance my qualifications and pique my intellectual curiosity. Prior to graduating from college in 2007, I received an acceptance letter for the Georgetown program and was beyond ecstatic. This was the bridge I needed to connect me to public policy while enhancing my passion for the sciences. During the program, I developed my writing skills for a non-scientific community, deepened my understanding of communications of emergency situations and emerging public health issues, and learned how science could revitalize the U.S. economy. When I was at that crossroads my senior year, my parents did not know how to advise me. But my mother knew she had a resource…the internet! She sat at the home computer until she found results that might work as a “filler” before I went on to medical school. My plans for medical school ultimately changed, but my graduate education was a springboard for the doctorate program I chose. In graduate school, I learned two main lessons:
These steps helped me to interact with my peers who were uncertain about the opportunities beyond an undergraduate education by linking up with professionals that sought to help us rise up or provide insight on how we could maximize our master’s degree to enter different positions. Tell me: Which program are you considering and why haven’t you said yes? Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2017. 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, When we were growing up, my brother and I were reminded consistently that we were expected to perform extremely well in class. One of my friends told me a story of her upbringing that may be familiar to you. When she came home from school and showed her parents her good grades, they would ask, "Did another student receive a better grade than you?" If she said yes, the next question would be, "Why are you not at the top of the class?" My friend is brilliant and skillful! But in her parents eyes, being second, third, or fourth in a huge graduating class was just not “good enough.” Immigrant parents often have very high expectations for their children, and as First Gens, we work overtime to meet or exceed them. But there is more to it than having the desire...there are situations that sometimes derail us. It is commonly unacceptable among foreigners to acknowledge feelings of guilt, insecurity, and doubt; rather it is expected that you will overcome them and never discuss the difficulties you faced. I can attest that there is a positive side to being raised to always find solutions to each "surface" problem, but what about the inner problems? Tell me: How have you coped with your emotions when feeling depressed or pressured?
Dear First Gen, Part 2 of "Staying Organized in College" - “Congratulations, we would like to offer you acceptance…” At that moment, you experienced a wave of emotions and realized you were about to embark upon a monumental journey: College! As a first-generation college student, you have set the bar high not only for yourself but for your family. And let’s be honest, that can be stressful because you want to ensure you succeed and don't disappoint anyone. On the other hand, you realize you have made it this far and have vowed to prepare yourself for this new academic challenge! Dear First Gen,
People often talk about their organization skills when they're on job interviews. But this becomes important well before that pivotal first opportunity for income. Because of that, we’ll be discussing organization in two parts. Part 1 will detail the reasons and methods for staying organized, and Part 2 will detail some of the tools and products you can use to do so. The motto at my college was “Educating Women to Transform the World.” Really?! Me?! Tall order for someone starting out at a new place, and I certainly wanted to meet that challenge and move mountains. Dear First Gen,
First Lady Michelle Obama launched the "Reach Higher Initiative" to motivate every high school student to further their education at a community college, four-year college or university or professional training program. April 26, 2016 was designated as "College Signing Day" in the U.S. for all to declare where they plan to attend in the fall, or wear college gear from the school they currently attend or graduated from. Recently, I had a conversation with a young person who sought my advice on the best college that would make them more attractive for a Staffer position in a legislator's office. The importance of selecting a college cannot be overstated; it is the prime location to connect with the right people who can teach you the precise steps to become the professional you aspire to be. This particular student narrowed the college choices down to two institutions. They would deliver different outcomes, but they were having a hard time determining which one would lead to achieving the ultimate goal. Here's what I recommended for them. |
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