Dear First Gen -

As a first-generation professional, there is much to learn about "professionalism in the workplace" such as email etiquette, negotiating salaries, performance reviews, networking, sponsorship, mentorship, and similarly critical, encouraging your employer to prioritize diversity and inclusion (D&I) .

​Here are two approaches to improve D&I when responding to an initial refusal. 

​Below is a transcription of the video:

• 0:01 - 0:30
Hello, my Fellow Risers! Hope all is well. I'm doing fine! Today, I just want to talk about a few things because in this world that we live in right now where there's a lot of racial justice comments and opinions that are going around. I've learned something in this moment that I just think has been valuable to me.

The first thing I want to share is that it is so important to take notice of when “no” may not be the final answer.

• 0:30 - 1:00
And I say that because many times I've heard people say “I am set, this is the decision.” “There's no turning back.” I just think that kind of finality is just unsettling for me because if we have an opportunity to diversify a group, if we have an opportunity to bring in other perspectives, to bring in diverse perspectives, to bring in people who are black who are people of color then I...

• 1:00 - 1:30
I think that is an opportunity where we can extend the conversation. I've heard plenty of times when it's not the right moment. We'll keep looking. But if you are offered an opportunity where we can extend the conversation, and if you are offered an opportunity to give recommendations to extend the conversation. Then do it! Because “no” is not the final answer for when we are trying to make more creative thought happen within a place.

• 1:31 - 2:00
Within the workplace, or create a thought from diverse perspectives can happen because that is vital to making sure that when we are on, you know, are creating a future for other people for you know, children who will eventually get to become adults. We want to make sure that we've set the stage up for them to be able to already have this kind of framework to already have this kind of environment exist.

• 2:00 - 2:30
And the other thing that I've noticed at this moment in time is to allow pauses to happen. Sometimes people need to sit with what you sent them. Sometimes you need to sit with which you've received from somebody else. Because what I valued more now than I've ever is...I'm always wanting to do a quick response. I was want to get to you know, the response get someone the answer.

• 2:30 - 3:00
But sometimes people would I've learned may need to reread what they sent you, and then from that they might already be able to you know rewind or you know, correct what they've said on their own without you having to do so because that right there is important because they might wonder why is there a pause? Why is there a break in this conversation where there once was not? So I really encourage you to things again. First is to be sure not to make “no” always the end of the conversation.

• 3:00 - 3:30
Because people might need to be reminded on how to extend it when it comes to having more Black people. Having more People of Color in the room in the conversation and their perspectives part of the conversation. And then the second part is when it is best for you to take a pause. Do so! Don’t shy away from a pause.

• 3:30 - 3:56
People don't like that break in conversation, but allow the break and conversation because sometimes people need to just then move and realize wait a minute...what's happened? Is this now my part to come in? Should I make a comment about it? So I say again really allow for those pauses to happen because sometimes it will be to your benefit and to someone's correction.


Fellow Riser, 

Irnande

***Disclaimer: 2020. 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, 

​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.

Dear First Gen,

Welcome to Summer!

It has been a long winter on the #EastCoast and finally the warm weather has arrived. During that time, you put in long hours in the classroom and now you desire to be outdoors. You deserve it! But, wait, the summer months should be another opportunity to RISE!

When I was in school, non-first gens participated in one of the three options to have a #LitSummer:

1. An Educational Program;
2. An Abroad Program;
3. An Internship Program; or

BONUS: An Employment Opportunity.

​The video below goes into detail on how each one could work in your favor to bring you closer to rising sooner and quicker. Click play!

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.

​Dear First Gen,

Starting a new job can bring anxiety and excitement. You may be anxious because you want to perform your absolute best and do not want to mess up. You may feel excitement because you went on countless interviews, submitted hundreds of resumes, reached out to your contacts to have them put in a good word, and maybe had the church and your parents praying for you––I know I did!

But at long last, after all the “no”s, you heard a “yes”! After the final interview, you received a phone call where you were offered the position and you knew you probably shouldn’t scream, but you kind of wanted to.

In November 2017, I started a new job as a policy director and said a bittersweet farewell to my chief of staff role with a state senator. I was with the senator for 4 years and I will definitely miss it. But it was time for me to make a transition—I needed to rise to new challenges and experiences.

In my new role, I have learned three things that are important for a new hire. Not only do you have your own goals to reach but also you have all eyes on you until you’ve proven yourself. In my case, my orientation was around the holidays so there were fewer meetings and tasks to complete, but I knew peak season was approaching.

1. Read, Read, Read. You should read as much as you can about the organizational structure, office culture, external stakeholders, board of directors, former programs and events, industry news, and meeting notes and reports. There may come a time in your new role where you are expected to represent the company, so you want to know as much as you can prior to that date. This is also an opportunity to ask questions of your supervisors or colleagues to get a firsthand account of how things have worked in the past and how they will work in the future. As you read, think about your contribution and how you can support or improve an existing program or event.
2. Be Flexible. Although I was given a job description, I knew my position was new and would evolve over time. There have already been plenty of times when my schedule changed because it was better for me to attend a meeting rather than sit in the office or vice versa. There are days you will walk into work with a plan of exactly how your day will go, but others may need you to help them with a project, or a printer may go down, or you have meeting cancellations due to snow. Don't harp on it. Be flexible on those days and move on. Being flexible with others will help you when you are seeking it from others in the future. If you were understanding when someone needed to reschedule, they most likely will remember that and return the favor when something comes up for you.
3. Create Systems. Find ways for certain responsibilities and duties to become nearly automated. When you are in your busy season, you want to know you have certain aspects of your job that are almost second nature, set in a routine where you barely have to think about completing the task. For example, if there is a weekly email you are expected to send out, draft the contents of the email and prepare the template for any attachments so you are only plugging in new the information week after week. If you have personnel information you are to submit on a monthly basis, set up a spreadsheet and create a calendar reminder to get it done a week or so prior to the deadline. Often, you may be pulled in a different direction and may not have the time to give it the proper attention, and you do not want to make mistakes. Given that you will still be learning your organization, office, or business, I suggest creating flow charts or outlines that help you understand your role and responsibilities. While the seasoned veterans in your office may have a full understanding of everything that's going on, it may feel like putting together a jigsaw puzzle to you for a bit. Create a system for how you plan to process new information. There may be times when you want to ask for help, but a certain individual is busy. Be prepared to figure out how you will learn about it on your own or approach them in a way that is not disruptive.

I wish I were told about these three suggestions before I started, but I am glad I picked them up during my first 30 days. People are watching you even when you think they are not. Your actions, decisions, and methods are under observation because they chose you and it's up to you now to prove that they made the right decision. But don't forget to have fun and start building relationships in your new role. You worked hard for it and have waited to get the perfect offer. Embrace this new opportunity!


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. ​​​​

Dear First Gen, 

On December 21, @DeltaProtectiveServices posted a video to Facebook of their interview with @Simon Sinek, who presented on the challenge of working with millennials. After watching this video, I posted three reasons I didn't think it fully described first-generation professionals.

I will elaborate on my facebook post that addressed Sinek's comment on the first factor that describes Millennials. Sinek defines millennials as individuals born in 1985 and up, and says that they are difficult to manage at work, act entitled, are self-interested, lazy, and unfocused. Yet he also points out that they are motivated by wanting to work for purpose or make an impact. 

He credits "failed parenting strategies" for millennials being challenging to work with. 

Statement: "Told special, all the time".
Response: We are bred to believe we are special but not in the manner to make us feel entitled (or an amazing gift to the world). Our parents tell us that we have the tools and knowledge to learn and develop into the adults that will allow us to accomplish and reach our dreams. We are elevated to believe that we have the capability to succeed so long as we are determined and make an effort. 

Statement: "Can have anything they want in life, just because they want it."
Response: We did not grow up being told we could have anything we wanted because we wanted it. Many #firstgens wanted the basic necessities and wished for them. We were happy to have them. There are first-generation Americans that may have wanted their own room, toys or gadgets, or new clothes rather than hand me downs or sewed. 

Statement: "Some got into honors classes not because deserved it, but because the parents complained. Some got A's not because they earned it, but because the teachers did not want to deal with the parents."
Response: We received or earned our grades and did not have parents with clout to switch them. Our #parents generally trusted the teachers and worked with them to improve our grades. We were nervous to receive any bad reports from teachers because our parents did not think the teachers would mislead them about their child's education or progress so we were diligent with our studies. 

Statement: "Some got medals for participation, not for winning. They received it because it would make them feel embarrassed and did not want them to feel worse." 
Response: We did not get a pat on the back or a high-five unless it was complete and total win. Second place winners were rarely congratulated or even spoken of in the home. Feeling bad about a loss was not allowed, and we did not get time to mope. Rather we had to jump back in and work hard for the next victory. 

He also attributes "environment and surroundings" as a reason for difficulty interacting with millennials at work. ​

Jordan Thompson is a first-generation attorney and is in the beginning phase of living up to the phrase, "If you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere." She traveled to NYC for school and has built an impeccable resume since her move to the Big City! 

Her story of triumph and accomplishment is for First Gens looking to enter corporate America. You may be growing impatient or wondering when your time will arrive.  HOLD ON! 

I also invite first gens interested in learning an approximate timeline for job interviews to watch the video.

"Women do not belong there," can you imagine a time when women were denied admission to law school?!    

(I recently watched a movie on the Suffrage Movement and was shocked by what they lost to fight for their right to vote - families, children, friendships and employment!) 

This featured first gen is a young, outstanding attorney who is rising in her firm. She is the only female member of the Legislative and Government Relations Group in her office and amazes each person she meets. 

1. What is your name?
Joy Weber

2. What is your current occupation?
Government Relations Attorney

3. What is your education background?
Bachelor of Arts in Art/Psychology from Penn State University and Regents University School of Law. (Any and all passions are welcome in the field of law.)

4. What is your family background?
Mom, Dad, and two younger brothers. I am now married with one son.

5. Do you have any "firsts" recognized by your family?
First to attend and graduate from law school.

6. How were you able to achieve them?
Hard work. Willingness to take risks. Support of my family.

7. What was your biggest obstacle or challenge to become the first in your family?
I remember being bummed that my mom and dad could no longer be the authority on the law school process. I reached out to my extended family and used them as a resource.

8. What advice would you give to a first-generation student who is seeking to become a first-generation professional in the U.S.?
Utilize LinkedIn! Don't hesitate to reach out to people who are where you hope to be. Buy someone a coffee and ask them to tell you how they got to where they are.



​***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?