What To Know as a First-Generation College Student

Navigating college is hard, especially when you’re one of the first in your family to do so. Four first-generation college students and professionals share their personal experiences, in the hopes of helping others know what to expect. Being a first-generation college student is about resiliency, breaking barriers and seeking out resources.?

By Mariah Flores

Are you getting ready to start college soon? Perhaps you’re already in the midst of your first year of college.?

Regardless, congratulations are in order as you enter what will likely be the most formative time in your personal and professional life.

College is filled with many opportunities for growth, learning and exploration, along with some challenges — some of which can be navigated with the guidance and support of parents or guardians who’ve also attended college.?

But many are the first in their immediate families to attend college or first-generation college students. They’re game-changers and history-makers who are breaking down barriers, carving a new path for themselves and their families, says Eve Hudson, Ph.D. Yet, with all those outstanding qualities, first-generation students face obstacles, from imposter syndrome and language barriers to financial stress and isolation.

Brown University states, “First-generation university students are those students whose parent(s) have not attained a college degree. These students, who have little or no family collegiate history, may enter a college or university with limited knowledge about the jargon, traditions, and patterns of expected behavior.”

If you’re a first-generation college student you don’t have to navigate college alone.

Four successful LinkedIn members spread across multiple industries, all first-generation students or graduates themselves, share what you need to know about being a first-generation college student.

What It Means to Be a First-Generation College Student

First, let’s meet Tanya Barron, a first-generation Latina professional and alumna of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She now works as an employee relations coordinator at her alma mater. She was only the second individual – and woman – in her entire extended family to obtain a four-year college degree. So for Barron, being a first-generation college student is something that she views as a breakthrough.?

Her college degree holds significant meaning, as she hopes to inspire future generations.?

“This [degree] alone has given me a much greater chance at obtaining a better quality of life, as well as access to professional and academic networks,” she says. “To be among one of the first women in my family to obtain a degree, I hope I can give the young women in my family … the encouragement to pursue a higher education.”?

Hudson, a first-generation college graduate of the first historically black college and university (HBCU) in the South, Shaw University, also views being a first-generation scholar as a chance to affect future generations.?

“It's changing generations to come, from an academic perspective, from a social economic perspective,” she says. “It's really doing great for your family and for your future through an academic lens.”

Hudson now works to uplift other first-generation trailblazers across the globe, as the founder and president of Evingerlean Worldwide.

Being a first-generation scholar is all about resiliency for both Karen Ly, a current first-generation student at the University of Southern California (USC) and Stephanie Nuesi, a content creator, first-generation corporate professional, graduate, and CEO of Max Up.?

“Personally, being a first-generation college student means having resilience and grit because you are the first for many things,” says Ly.?

Being first-generation also means that Ly has to navigate the professional field on her own. “For me, not only am I the first to go to college, but I am the first in the family to pursue a career in the engineering and tech field.” She recently completed a software engineer internship at Google.

Similarly, Nuesi is also the first of her family in tech, working at Google full-time as an associate financial analyst with IA strategy and operations.?

“To me being a first-generation college student means being the first one in our families to go to college, face many obstacles in the journey while learning everything for the first time (considering many of first-gen college students' parents didn't go to college and didn't know how to help their kids in any step in the college application process or during the journey)”.

She also notes that first-generation scholars not only face the unknown and combat adversity, but also become more resilient toward the situations that are presented to them.

But the one thing these first-generation college students and professionals have in common?

They’ve all experienced so many “firsts”, beyond just attending college or university. They’re the first in their families to work in STEM fields, the first to obtain a several degrees and the first to navigate the somewhat rocky road that is the competitive job market.

By attending college and eventually graduating, first-generation students everywhere are becoming positive role models within their communities. Their example encourages others to pursue higher education and meet new challenges head-on.

Common Challenges Faced by First-Generation Students?

Every first-generation college experience is different, depending on the student, their background and collegiate institution. That being said, there are common challenges and feelings you may face as a first-generation college student.?

Please note, many of these challenges or feelings are to be expected and completely normal. College is a transition, with no all-encompassing guidebook or journey.

Here are some obstacles first-generation college students may face:?

• Maintaining part-time employment while also maintaining good grades
• Financial stress, debt or other related challenges
• Navigating a new academic environment
• Feelings of isolation or intimidation
• Lack of resources or information
• Imposter syndrome
• Language barriers
• Pressure to succeed

“[T]his first gen experience really comes down to knowing who the person is and where they're going and what's ahead,” says Hudson. Regardless if your experience holds the same challenges listed above, you can still achieve so much, especially with support.

It’s important to find your support system on campus as a first-generation college student, beyond your family or friends. Join organizations, clubs, programs and support groups on-campus that’ll get you around other college students, from all backgrounds, including those with similar interests or fields of study.?

“If your schedule allows it, I would strongly suggest getting involved in clubs or other programs on campus. To this day, not being involved on campus is one of my biggest regrets,” says Barron.

?“Involvement is a great way to grow your professional network, gain friends, and it can certainly open up doors to career and development opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.”?

Every college or university offers different opportunities for student engagement and support, but our first-generation experts shared their favorites:?

• Campus advising programs, counseling services, residence hall staff, financial aid offices, tutoring services and other on-campus resources tailored for first-generation students
• Programs catered toward helping first-generation college students apply to college
• Mentorship through professional development programs
• Career and resource fairs

And if you see a need for a specific club or program, maybe even one geared toward other first-generation students, start one. Also, never forget the power of networking, which has helped many college students and young professionals land internships and full-time employment.

“Networking is another great way to increase your visibility,” says Barron. “If a wide network of people know your name, your face and who you are, there’s a greater chance your name will come up when a peer is looking for their next great candidate.”

Being a first-generation college student is something to be proud of and is not inherently disadvantageous (a common misconception). Harness your resiliency, support system, network,? experience and resources to your advantage — while also giving yourself grace during tough times.

“Being a first-gen student is hard! You don't need to have everything figured out right away! Find mentors who have been in a similar situation as you are as they have lots of knowledge and advice that they want to share with you,” says Ly.?

Top Takeaways?

Being a first-generation student involves many firsts and can be both exciting and intimidating. Here’s what you need to:?

• First-generation college/university students are those students whose parent(s) have not attained a college degree.
• Being a first-generation college student, graduate or professional is something to be proud of and is not a disadvantage.
• Every experience is different, so connect with on- and off-campus resources, from your college advisor to financial aid offices.