Money conversations podcast episode with Erick Roa
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There are many financial challenges and social pressures that come with being a first-gen college student. There are also many benefits to pursuing higher education, like increased economic mobility, earning potential, and expanded career opportunities.
These challenges and opportunities are discussed in this episode of the money conversations podcast series. Making Waves financial services coordinators, Leticia (“Leti”) Perez and Briggitte (“Gigi”) Bolanos Vieyra, sat down with Erick Roa, chief operating officer at Making Waves, to chat about his financial journey.
A first-gen college graduate, Erick discusses his background, his choice to pursue a college degree, and prioritizing his financial wellbeing, covering topics like:
- Making decisions around college attendance and affordability
- Managing the financial challenges and ‘weight on your shoulders’ that come with being a first-gen student
- Balancing educational opportunities with the need to work to pay bills
- How his perspective on money has changed over time
- Strategies for career growth and making the most of college degrees
“It’s a lot of weight on our shoulders to kind of be like, if you’re making money and you’re not giving it to your family, then you’re not adding value,” shared Erick. “That just isn’t true. I think that’s a big lesson that I learned. It took some therapy. It took like real conversations with family. It’s ok to benefit yourself, like investing that 5% your retirement.”
