Dannielle is the founder of First Gen Money, a financial literacy company that focuses on the first-generation population, those who are first to graduate from college or build wealth in the U.S. Dannielle hopes to empower and educate Latinas in their money journeys.

Born and raised Jersey girl with Ecuadorian immigrant parents, Dannielle graduated from Rutgers University in 2015 with a Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies Degree, along with over $30,000 in student loan debt. As of December 2019, Dannielle lives debt-free, having paid off $26,385 in 26 months.​

The First Gen Experience and Handling of Money

I enjoyed my interview of Dannielle during the 2019 FinCon.
​She spoke about the various influences in her money decisions and reaction to #FinCon.

***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,

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,

​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:

1. While the push may be to think about your career and where you’ll be working, take a moment to think about where you’ll be living. If going home is the best option because of finances, don’t be afraid to do it. Going home does not mean you have failed; you’re just recalibrating before your next launch. If going home is not an option, see if you can rent a room or find a roommate to share expenses.
2. Think carefully about your job situation. If you currently have a job, and don’t have another lined up, be sure that you understand what’s happening before you graduate. Will you get more hours? Are you eligible for a promotion or raise? Is it practical to stay in the area and keep the job or relocate the job (if possible) and make more reasonable living accommodations?
3. Just because you’ll be away from #mentors, #professors, and #supervisors does not mean you have to lose touch with them or that they aren’t accessible to you. Reach out to them because more times than not, they’ll be willing to help you if they can.
4. Be sure to surround yourself with positive, understanding, and undeniably supportive people. One thing that helped me get through that particular summer was having a strong and compassionate tribe. We helped each other out as best as we could and were willing to stand in the gaps for one another whenever possible.
5. Be patient with yourself and the process. Transitions can be very difficult, and being a first gen, you don’t always know exactly what you should or shouldn’t be doing next, and it can be hard to ask for help when you don’t know what kind of help to ask for at the time. I didn’t quite reveal that I was clueless about what I was doing next because I had a job and that was the main focus after college—yet, it was so much to learn and figure during the time in between.

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,

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,

To succeed in higher education, studying and getting good grades is not going to be your only responsibility. When you attend a university or college, you will need to interact with several administrative staff.

The most obvious of these will be your academic advisor and the career counselor. But to expand your network and to gather more information about the world that awaits you after graduation, it is to your benefit to speak to a few more people that have a specific focus on student success. Let’s talk about the discussions you should have with each of these people.

1.Academic Advisor: When you select your major, you will be assigned an #academicadvisor to help guide you through the requirements of your major, including the mandatory course sequence to earn a degree, as well as optional or elective courses that may be more tailored to your specific career goals. You and your advisor may become acquainted quickly through regularly scheduled meetings to ensure you are on track to graduate on time. Occasionally, the requirements for your major could change from year to year, so you want to make sure you are referring to the correct course catalog and do not encounter any surprises from not regularly speaking to your advisor.

2.Career Counselor: This relationship could be very necessary for a first-generation student looking to increase their opportunities for employment or acceptance into a program that would further their education. Career counselors are specifically trained in this area, and I elaborate on the value and urgency of this visit in another post.

3.Students Affairs: Most students won’t visit this office unless they have an urgent situation that needs to be addressed, such as a request for a disability accommodation or a conflict at the institution. However, this office is often responsible for assisting with student organizations, hosting events on campus, and inviting special guests. This office delivers a #global experience to you, often without even leaving the campus. This office’s goal is to support your learning, growth, and development. Engaging with the staff in this office will help shape your experience at that institution.

4.Board of Trustees: The idea of meeting with the Board of Trustees was suggested to me by a colleague who is also a first-gen student. He explained that he learned about the opportunity for his current job after securing a meeting with a in his industry. During that meeting, he had a candid conversation about the path he should pursue to become a key decision-maker. That conversation helped him chart his course to become his company’s chief government affairs spokesman quickly. Members of most college’s boards of trustees are frequently high-profile, influential individuals. Not only can they bring in a considerable amount of money to the university, but they are often change agents in the community and have a wealth of knowledge to share. When possible, forging a relationship with a board of trustees member can help you gain access to expertise that may benefit you when trying to plot your own path to success.

5.Faculty Advisor for a Campus Organization: If you’re involved in a campus organization like student government or campus media, there will be a staff or #facultyadvisor assigned to guide the students. Often, even if this person is a professor, they serve in a different capacity in these advisory roles, and are able to be a bit more and personal with the students in the organization. This individual may be someone you want to have more personal conversations with regarding classes, professors, administration, students, or your future, especially if the organization is related to your career goals.

Of course, these are not the only appointments you should schedule or people you should form relationships with at college. But they will give you a jump start on how best to approach your education. The more people you can speak to and learn from, the better your future outcomes will be in the field you aspire to work in. These conversations can be vital to obtaining the “rules of engagement” to succeed academically and professionally.

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,

​In my book, The Rise of a First Gen, I suggest that students should “Learn their #professors.” I mentioned this because it is a common belief among First Gens that, “As long as I do my best, I should get good grades.” This is partially true, but reaching out to professors to know their teaching and #gradingstyle will help you out, too.
 
So what is the best approach to building a good relationship with your professor? They make it really easy on you by holding office hours.
 
I learned the value of office hours firsthand when I was in college. I had performed poorly on an exam and was in a state of panic about how to improve. To ease my concerns, I went to speak with the professor during her office hours. 

Professors have so much information to teach in a short semester that it is rare to have days to ease into the teaching techniques or the syllabus. Luckily, #officehours exist on day one and you can get to know the mind of your professor in that setting. 

Now available is the "Master your Professor's Office Hours" eBook. (click image) This checklist will help you master your office hours so you and your test scores can rise.

Fellow Riser,

​Irnande 

Dear First Gen,

​When I think about my journey, I am reminded that I did not arrive where I am today on my own. There were a few amazing advisors and mentors that guided me along the way. They offered me good advice that I share with my interns and others I believe would benefit from the information.

But it wasn't always easy to find a good mentor, either. There were instances when I sought someone to be my advisor/mentor and it yielded great results. Other times, I had to kindly distance myself from people because I no longer saw a benefit to our relationship.

When I was a student, my assigned career advisors served me well. I remain connected with a couple of them to this day. But there were several times I decided to venture out and speak to the head advisor.

In college, I attempted to meet with different advisors because they rotated in and out of the positions. I needed to meet with several of them so they would know my needs and be able to assist me when someone else was not available. In this case, I couldn't have a “regular” advisor.

I made it a point to meet with the Dean of the Career Development Office in undergrad because this individual was consistent and possessed invaluable information, like access to off-campus positions I needed for my field placement courses.

In law school, I scheduled advising appointments with the Dean of the Career Development Office as well. He had expertise about positions I was seeking and told me about the school’s reciprocity policy, which I used even after I graduated. My meetings with him were always helpful and I usually went to him even after I had met with the other advisors if they were unable to help me in the way I was looking for.

Whether I wanted to know how to work in a judge’s chamber or for a non-profit, locally or in my home state, my initial meeting with an advisor often clued me in how our working relationship would work. I became a good judge of not only who would be accepting of my numerous questions, but also who would give me a thorough explanation. I was looking for specific and actionable advice on the process or strategies to improve my chances of getting an internship or securing a job.

The common thread among each advisor I encountered was their willingness to help upon seeing that I was eager to be guided. They understood that I would not stop seeking their help until I obtained the results I was looking for. I sometimes learned after the fact that they talked with one another to find a different approach for helping me reach my goal.

Over the past 10 years, I have identified a key characteristic I look for in an effective mentor: their openness to serve as a mentor.

Dear First Gen,
​
Joy Weber (a featured first gen) shared a piece of advice for first gens that want to meet people outside of their network: Consider reaching out to people via LinkedIn, even if you’ve never been introduced to them before. This is a great idea!

You may have met someone at an event that you have finally found the courage to attend, or overheard someone else talking about this individual. In either situation, this person piqued your curiosity and you want to learn more about them, but you do not have a way to contact them. When it comes to individuals you don’t know, reach out to them for an in-person informational meeting. If the person has a busy calendar and you are unable to coordinate a meeting time, then you can opt for a phone conversation. When that’s the case, LinkedIn is a good place to start! A friend called @LinkedIn, "Facebook for Professionals".

Log in to your account (or create an account), and then perform a search of the person’s name to find out if you have mutual contacts. If you don’t, that’s OK—you may still be able to network with that individual. It is scary and you may not know where to begin but let me suggest two approaches.

Dear First Gens,

Join me in living your dreams! CHALLENGE COMING BACK NEXT YEAR!

I am offering a free email challenge titled UBelong. This challenge will help you face and conquer your fears of feeling out of place at an event that you view as an ideal place to meet and connect with people that could propel you to higher levels. I was inspired to create this challenge after I almost allowed my doubts to deny me the opportunity to attend the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA - today marks two months since that #onceinalifetime moment.

Have you done the same thing I almost did? Have you passed on a lot of events simply because you were afraid? Have you disregarded the value you would bring by being in the room? Have you felt like you do not belong? It’s time to put those thoughts to bed.

Where have you longed to go? Forbes Women's Summit? Sundance Film Festival? The Olympics? Industry Conference or Gala? What has been on your list since the beginning of your student or professional journey? I am certain you thought of making an appearance at a few events, but then dismissed the idea. This mentality stops today!

Sign up now for my free 5-Day UBelong Challenge and learn how to show up with confidence and leave proud. The challenge begins in October! CHALLENGE COMING BACK NEXT YEAR!

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.

​This month’s featured First Gen is Delegate Alonzo T. Washington, who shares the benefits of strategic, organized college financial planning. Alonzo celebrates his birthday this month, and luckily, his responses also build on our recent posts about organization.

1. What is your name?
Alonzo T. Washington

2. What is your current occupation?
Maryland State Delegate

3. What makes you a First Gen?
When I graduated from the University of Maryland, I became the first person in my entire family to receive a college degree. I was then appointed to the Maryland General Assembly in 2012, becoming the youngest member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

4. What was your proudest moment as a First Gen, and why?
Of course, graduating from the University of Maryland debt-free and becoming the first in my family to graduate from college was an extremely proud moment for me. In 2014, I was also proud to win my first election to the Maryland House of Delegates, gaining the most votes in the history of my Legislative District.

5. What advice would you give to a first-generation student, graduate, or professional?
I have often found that many first-generation students—through no fault of their own—are not taking advantage of the resources and opportunities available to them, including scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. We need to ensure that all first- generation students are fully utilizing all of these resources to graduate from college debt-free. I would also encourage first-generation students, graduates, and professionals to always be organized and prepared in all aspects of their life. Many of my successes, especially in my professional life, can be attributed to strong organization and preparedness skills. 
 
6. What is your favorite quote? And why? 
As we continue to fight back against racial and social inequities, I am constantly reminded of a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he fought against similar injustices: 
 
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." ​


​***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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