Voices of Making Waves: Meet Giovanna Barragan
The following article is written by Giovanna Barragan (she/her), Making Waves Academy ’23 and University of Southern California ’27. Giovanna is a NGO and social change major at USC and a marketing and storytelling intern at Making Waves Education Foundation.
What being first-gen means to me
Before joining the Making Waves community, I hadn’t thought about going to college. My biggest worry has always been the financial burden of having to pay for college. My parents don’t have the financial means of being able to help me go to college, especially with two kids going to college at the same time (I am a twin!).
Making Waves has helped me every step of the way – from thinking about college, to applying, to attending the University of Southern California, to staying in college with my yearly scholarship and my college coach, to even getting an internship to start my career development journey.
For me, being first-gen is to be an example for the generations after me. It means showing them that they can go for their dreams and break barriers. It’s like a special title that honors my family’s sacrifices while also planting new seeds.
Here is how I ended up choosing USC
Since my time at Making Waves Academy, I have always loved to volunteer. I became passionate about giving back to the community that has given me the very opportunities that I get to enjoy every day.
While applying to colleges, I thought about different majors that would help me continue my passion: giving back.
One major caught my eye: NGOs and Social Change. A major that was only available at USC.
The very opportunities that helped me to get where I am today were all from nonprofit organizations.
So, I thought, “what better way to pay it forward than to study organizations that are directly addressing social issues while preparing for my own career at an organization committed to social change?”
There were a few other factors, too…
Outside of my major, the environment, culture, and class sizes were huge factors in my college decision. I wanted to be near a city, be in a lively student involvement environment, and have close relationships with my peers and professors.
With that being said, once I knew that my twin brother, Jhosmar, was going to choose UCLA, I just HAD to choose USC. Why not continue to be rivals??
How I am using my social change major in the working world
As I took different communication classes covering social justice issues, I realized the many ways that social change can happen through various media platforms.
Then, I got offered a Marketing and Storytelling Internship at Making Waves, which confirms this realization even more.
Marketing and storytelling has a direct link to social impact. The way we create websites, strategize for social media engagement, and develop stories all have a connection to creating more access to information and positive change.
Being able to not just build my resume but also be a voice for my community has been instrumental in my career growth. This internship pushes me to continue to advocate for those whose voices are unheard, especially through media platforms that can be shared all over the world.
Hear from first-gen students – from USC to Sac State!
To celebrate first-gen day in November, I created this video with my fellow Making Waves intern, Ashley Ramirez, who is interning as a Peer Success Intern at Sacramento State.
We hope this gives you a look into our lives as first-generation college students.
When you support Making Waves, you support students like us. Thank you for being a part of my story!
