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Dear First Gen,
I had the esteemed honor of meeting Paul C. Brunson (@PaulCBrunson) in the flesh. So excited! I am a proud email subscriber and have been for years. Paul's newsletters highlighted his latest projects and future coaching opportunities. In 2018, I saw the announcement (finally had the courage to) submit by application, interviewed, and then accepted into one of his #Mastermind Groups. Unbelievable! And, since then, I have dutifully taken notes of his wisdom and teachings. Below is a video of his advice on how to approach #publicspeaking. Fellow Riser, Irnande
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Dear First Gen -
The FREE 5-DAY UBELONG Challenge has returned! Are you ready? We are ready to welcome you and get you on the path of feeling connected. It is time to jump in and show everyone, including yourself, that you are a valuable asset in the space you occupy. With the #challenge, your mindset will be shifted! Over 5 days, you will work on actionable steps to get you in the rhythm of dominating the environments you are in. This challenge is the starter for all who seek to have a plan on how to own the spaces they walk into. NO MORE SIDELINE LIVING! LET'S GO! SIGN UP FOR THE FREE 5-DAY UBELONG CHALLENGE! I'm waiting for you so we can begin to address #impostersyndrome and deploy strategies to address the fears and doubts. Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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,
Growing up, my parents spoke about history, the government, and how America responded to current events at the dining room table. In our house, the news channel was constantly on, including the weekends. So in college, it was natural for me to pursue opportunities to engage in political work. I recently wrote an article about my journey into U.S. politics, click here. Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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,
July is Minority Mental Health Month! How did you spend it? In the video, I share my perspective on this month and how as a person of color, I handle my stressful days and who has been my support system. I leaned on them in moments of strife and doubt. #minoritymentalhealth #reprensentationmatters Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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.
Hi First Gen,
History is happening for all #Haitians, #HaitianAmericans, and supporters of #Haiti Mens' Soccer! For the first time in history, the Haiti National Football Team is in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup! WOW! In the first half the team was down by 2 goals and in the second half there was a comeback. I enjoy a good comeback story and Haiti's was on display for all to watch. Listen to my opinion of the result. You are never down unless you stay down.
As a former #soccer player, I understand the tremendous effort it takes mentally and physically to achieve this outcome. I applaud Haiti's National Men's Football Team. #CaribbeanHeritageMonth
Fellow Riser, Irnande  Dear First Gen,
For as long as I can remember, I was so excited at the thought of being a first-generation college #graduate. Before I knew it, my final semester was coming to an end and it was almost time for me to start my new life. Thankfully, the week before graduation, I accepted a job working at a high school in Mississippi. I would not start my job for a couple of months, but that was cool with me. I could use a nice summer break for a change! While I was looking forward to what I’d be doing in the months to come, I was struck with the fact that I had no immediate plans until it was time for me to move. I literally did not even know where I was going to lay my head for the next few months. I was certain though that I was not going to move back home because a large part of me was concerned that I’d be taking a step back. I was too worried about other’s thoughts of me having failed because I was back home. I was frantic the week of #graduation because everything was happening so quickly. Not only did I need a place to stay, I would also no longer be employed at the place where I’d been working since my freshman year of college. I remember feeling so doomed at this point because graduation was now only a few days away and I really needed to pull it together. I was getting scared because it started to hit me that I would no longer have access to a residence hall, cafeteria, or safe place. I would no longer be a part of the campus community and would lose quick access to my professors and mentors. While I had a laptop, I was going to have to give it back because it was only loaned to me as a part of my accommodations for being an Honors College student. I had no idea where my money was going to come from or where I’d get my next meal. I was losing all sense of security that I’d had for 4 years and it felt like a small crisis. However, I knew that it was on me to take care of my business and myself. Two days before graduation, I was chatting with my sorority sister—who was also about to be a first-gen college grad—about her plans for summer and she was as frantic as me about not having a place to stay. We decided to take the little money we had and split a cheap two-bedroom apartment until it was time for me to move to Mississippi. I don’t recall how she found the place, but we submitted an application that day and found out the next day we’d been approved. As soon as she got the call, we hurried over to pay our deposit and pick up our keys. (Oh, gosh! I was a real adult!) Moving after the graduation ceremony was pretty easy for us since we had no beds, dining table, kitchen utensils, couch, food in the fridge… nothing. Yet we had a place to stay and that was better than just a few days prior. Eventually, we started accumulating furniture: I bought a blowup bed from Walmart and we got a couch that had been donated to us. Soon, my sister got a table from Walmart that we put together in one night. Our groceries were often milk and cereal, eight-piece chicken from Walmart, spaghetti, and tacos. It wasn't glamorous, but we were fresh out of college and we didn’t want for much, so we were good. I also got a temporary job with my old employer and was able to work for a month until I relocated. Looking back at that time of my life, I often laugh because while I had a college degree, my life didn’t look anything like what I thought it would. See, having a degree doesn’t mean that all of your challenges, financial or otherwise, are going to magically disappear. However, I learned quite a few lessons and some I’d like to share with you:
The world is big and learning to face it can be scary; however, there are so many people who have traveled a similar road, so don’t ever doubt that you’ll be just fine. No matter the situation you’re faced with, trust that you’ll figure it out. Fellow Riser, Dr. Eve Hudson (Host behind The First-Gen Lounge) ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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,
The majority of college students graduating today have one thing in common, regardless of their degree: student loan debt. While some are fortunate enough to attend college without having to take out any loans, the majority of American college graduates end up owing seemingly insurmountable debt to lenders. When I graduated more than 10 years ago, Sallie Mae was the leading lender. Today, Sallie Mae has been joined by Great Lakes, Nelnet, and Navient. It seems that almost every day, there is a new article reporting that #studentloandebt is a factor in #millennials delaying buying homes, getting married, starting a family, or growing a business. Some have even chosen to put off saving for retirement to focus on paying their student loans. The Good Ol’ Days I will never forget a conversation I had with a former neighbor. She and her spouse had both graduated from a state law school in the 1990s, and their combined student loan debt totaled just $55,000. I was shocked to hear that number. I could never imagine a graduate today walking out of law school with such a low amount of debt. She went on to tell me that they paid off their loans in just 5 years. The first few years, they kept their expenses low by living modestly. They also made the career decision to work in the public sector before moving on to work in “big law” for leading corporate law firms. The Times They Are A-Changin' On the other hand, when I graduated from college in 2007, I entered the “real world” with what I thought was a manageable $25,000 of student loan debt from my 4-year degree. Then I went to Georgetown for a 1-year master’s degree program and graduated with an additional $33,000 in debt. I kept my costs relatively low by living at my parents’ home, taking a carpool bus to school, bringing my lunch with me, and working a graduate assistantship. Others in my master’s program cohort took out double my amount because they lived in Washington, DC, and needed money for housing and more. That meant that many of them graduated with at least $60,000 in debt from a one-year graduate program. I figured mine was still a manageable amount of debt since it was a total of less than $60,000. However, I finished my program in 2008 during the recession and it’s not an exaggeration to say that no one was hiring. I worked two part-time jobs to pay my bills. But then I tacked on even more debt when I went to law school. I will be paying my student loans for years to come. A Little Financial Planning Goes a Long Way Why am I sharing this with you? I believe in getting as much information as possible to be sure you're setting yourself up for success down the road. It is important to know exactly how much you need to borrow to get your desired education. Then you can borrow the very least amount so you are not swimming in debt, do not have to delay future milestones like buying a house, traveling, or becoming a parent, if those will be priorities for you. A little financial planning goes a long way in paying off student loans. A few young people I have recently met shared that they have not begun paying their public student loans back because they are paying for the private loans they took out first. Another friend who graduated law school with me had more than $100,000 in student loans from two private institutions, yet paid off their #lawschool debt in less than 4 years. This person did make a six-figure income, but they also lived very modestly by limiting travel, shopping at discount grocery stores, finding inexpensive rent, and so on. Luckily for this person, the amount of compounded interest was limited because of the timing of paying back the loan. In many cases, graduates pay a lot in interest before they can pay any chunk of the principal. If you’re just starting to look into loans, I may be using terms that are new to you. Check out Student Loan Hero for more information, and do not be overwhelmed. I have come across many good resources that may be helpful to you. Podcasts – Brown Ambition Paychecks and Balances Trailblazers.FM Blog Posts – Student Loans: Everything you Need to Know Your Money Worth The Student Loan Debt Movement Tools – How to Create a Loan Amortization Schedule As a first-generation college student or graduate, there is a lot of information we are not privy to because no one in our families has gone through it before. That's why I’m here. These resources will get you started on how to plan for the financial implications of a #highereducation. Whether you are just starting the process of applying for grants and scholarships or you are debating whether to accept a job that offers student loan repayment assistance benefits, thinking about all of this will help you plan a little better. Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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, Coming off the heels of #BlackHistoryMonth and stepping into #WomensHistoryMonth, this post is a treat. For the past five years, I had the honor of witnessing Judge Elizabeth Morris pave the way for black female attorneys in Maryland. She has always had a gracious demeanor and attitude while being a strong leader. Her judicial appointment is #historic because she became the first black female to sit on the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Congratulations! Read her story to learn about her appointment by #GovernorHogan. Watch the video to learn about her Caribbean heritage and introduction to the practice of law. #InternationalWomensDay Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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,
As a First Gen, I like to triple check that my next step is based on facts and assurances, but some decisions need only faith. I started this blog by leaping and without knowing the specifics of the schools that would support it and students who would rely on the information. Now, the blog has evolved into highlighting outstanding First Gens, guest posts from First Gens, challenges, a book and audiobook, speaking engagements, and much more to come. In the spirit of living beyond your wildest dreams, I encourage you to "leap, and the net will appear." Best of Luck! Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2019. 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,
It’s hard to believe, but this November, I am celebrating one year since I accepted a position as a #MentalHealth advocate. As I began this new step in my career, I wrote posts for success in the first 30, 60, and 90 days on a new job. All of those suggestions are still relevant and I continue to practice them each and every month. As I look back, it's clear that I've come a long way, but I still have plenty to learn. Top Things I’ve Learned – 1. Know what's expected of you, and use your existing skills: I knew when I accepted this job that it was going to require a lot of reading, but I was not aware of exactly how much. My role requires me to read as much as I can to keep track of the actions of various legislators and stakeholders who may develop laws or regulations that could impact the level of care and access a mental health patient receives. I am constantly reading news articles, reports, newsletters, and emails. Fortunately, my previous positions required me to read similar material and I have learned how to distill this information so I can relay it efficiently and accurately to coalition members and partners. 2. Know that you will make mistakes: As a first gen who strives for perfection, I have gradually become comfortable with making mistakes and learning from my errors and confusion. Growing up, my parents expected me to always be the best student, and I rise to the challenge of being a 5-star employee as well. My learning curve in this new position was short and it did not take me too long to learn the terminology and industry culture. But sometimes, I still struggle. Although I prepare for the meetings I lead, I often still need a pep talk from my supervisor beforehand and a follow-up to discuss what went right and wrong. 3. Learn from constructive criticism: I wish I could say that I followed my own advice about not taking feedback and criticism personally, but I had a difficult time separating constructive criticism about my work from remarks about me as a person. While there were times I received an honest critique to make me a better mental health advocate and to improve on my weaknesses, my passion and work ethic interfered with my ability to receive and implement the feedback objectively without seeing it as a personal attack. Luckily, I have a strong tribe that helps me remain calm and see the positives of having supervisors who take a considerable amount of time from their schedules to discuss the reasons behind their opinions. Our meetings create an open, honest environment where I can learn how to be better at my job and exceed expectations. As I am given information on how to improve, I am learning what they pay attention to the most and how to focus on those things a little more so that I can be conscious of if or when I might make the same mistake. 4. We all fight similar battles: Being a mental health advocate for this past year has challenged me and allowed me to become aware of the anxiety, depression, and fear facing first-gen professionals. You battle your own expectations every day: You may want to consume so much information to be successful that it intensifies your worry and takes you away from activities you enjoy. You want to be the absolute best, but when it does not happen how you envisioned it, you may doubt if you are qualified and capable. You want to present a solid product on every project, but when it does not end up that way, you wonder if you are in the right field or whether you should transition into a role that fits your talents and gifts better. These thoughts and lessons cycle in and out on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. As a first gen, I contemplate these emotions at the beginning and end of each day, but I've realized that they may even be common among all young professionals, not just first gens. What I have discovered is that it is important to acknowledge my thoughts and then reframe them so that they are helpful. Yes, I am worried. But it is a new experience and I am still adding value because of my experience that is different from others. My past experiences influence my current responsibilities and help reduce the time spent doing them so I can focus on my priority tasks. I belong here because I bring a different perspective and can shape a new way of thinking and set of procedures. Listening to myself and the feedback from others has been key over the past year and I am grateful to have reached this juncture to recognize how it is essential to rise. Fellow Riser, Irnande ***Disclaimer: 2018. 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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