What is your hometown? Azusa, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

What motivated you to go to college? I thought I would have greater opportunities to succeed in life if I had a degree.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. I enjoyed the college experience, but in a lot of ways, it was "high school, only harder and less directed." I didn't have any explicit family support. It was just assumed that I would go and do well. Also, even though my motivation for attending college was a vague sense that I would have a better life, I didn't really look at college as a route to a career. I didn't think about what would come after. In college, I was active, serving as a senator on the School of Arts Council, I graduated cum laude and was awarded the Outstanding Graduating Senior for my major, but there was still a sense of "okay, now what?" upon graduation.

What unique challenges did you face? I struggled a lot with focus. I mostly stumbled through, taking courses that sounded fun or fit my work schedule.
I worked multiple jobs at the same time when I was in college because I was determined to pay for everything on my own and not take out student loans.
Other than financial aid, which I was determined to not accept, I was unaware of whether the college had any support or services that could have helped me through my journey. If I'm honest with myself, I'm not sure I would have accepted/utilized them even if they had existed.

How did you overcome those challenges? I'm lucky in that I had the skill set to succeed academically, but I finished my degree program through sheer force of will.

What did you advise other first-generation students? Except for a brief meeting to approve my senior project, I didn't meet with a counselor or advisor until it was time to review my transcripts in preparation for graduation. Based on my experience, I think I would have benefited from early guidance from a counselor or advisor who could have helped with focus, offered encouragement, and explained the usefulness of any supportive services the college had to offer.
So my advice to first-gen students is to meet with that counselor early and be open about barriers you are facing or fears you have. Be willing to accept guidance and support.