"Sharing by way of reflection, my experience at Yale these past few days. I recently engaged as a mentor in a career networking event for first-gen students at Yale. I served with great pride as part of 1stGenYale. 1stGenYale strives to cultivate a powerful support system and network of peers and mentors to help first-gen students navigate their college experience for long-term success. 1stGenYale is a mission-based organization that firmly believes in building a legacy and not just a moment.
I had an interesting conversation with a first-year student who is originally from Nicaragua, but later moved with his mom, and he was raised in the U.S. His personal story and values reminded me of my own family values and college journey. I was impressed with his sense of obligation and commitment to his family, his respect and acknowledgment for his Mom and his family’s sacrifices, and his motivation to do better, be better, and not forget his ethnic identity.
This first-year student earned a full scholarship at Yale through his tenacious academic work. However, coming from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds can be challenging for first-gen students to assimilate into an environment where most of their peers have different experiences and resources.
First-gen students often feel like they don’t belong or are not as academically capable as their peers. Their peers in Ivy League universities like Yale frequently have parents who are CEO’s, CFO’s, COO’s, physicians, lawyers with a master’s level education. And needless to say, they come from families with greater wealth and income. Their peers are often guided by their parents on writing, publishing, starting nonprofit organizations, research projects, etc. to gain a competitive advantage from an early age.
1stGenYale serves a unique purpose in supporting first-gen students in many of the unique challenges discussed and helping them navigate complex and unfamiliar systems. I am proud to be a part of a mission-based organization like 1stGenYale that inspires hope, inclusion, and empowerment for long-term success."
