Making Waves podcast series shares about journeys managing money and finances in college, career, and life
In a survey of about 30,000 college students U.S., only 53% said they felt prepared to manage their money. At the same time, more than 43 million Americans hold a total student loan debt of more than $1.6 trillion.
At Making Waves Education Foundation, we see financial aid, budgeting, and knowledge around money topics as a critical part of college and career success. Our college scholarships, FAFSA support, and ongoing budget planning support have led to 86% of our students graduating from college debt-free.
A new podcast series is taking this work a step further.
The project is led by members of Making Waves’ student-facing financial services team, Briggitte (“Gigi”) Bolaños Vieyra (she/her), Leticia (“Leti”) Perez (she/her), and Thalia Rodriguez (she/her). The conversational series spotlights experiences and lessons learned around money topics to make this information more accessible, especially for first-generation college students and graduates.
“The podcast came about after realizing, through conversations with students, that discussing ‘money’ was often a new and taboo topic for many. Yet, money plays a critical role in their educational journey—from choosing a school to figuring out funding and planning for their future careers,” shared Bolaños Vieyra.
“It was important for us to model open discussions about money and explore the topics that students are most curious about, helping first-gen students feel more confident and informed,” shared Bolaños Vieyra.
Viewers and listeners can tune in as Making Waves team members, along with program alumni, share candidly about their financial journeys as first-generation college graduates.
They cover topics like:
- Prioritizing financial wellbeing
- Making the most of internships
- Weighing career and financial considerations around graduate school
- Navigating college and financial decisions as an undocumented student
“These conversations have offered invaluable insights into the unique challenges faced by first-generation students and graduates, especially around money and finances. Thank you to all our guests for sharing your experiences, being vulnerable, and having some laughs while we do it,” shared Perez.
The latest episodes
🎙️From First-Gen College Grad to Chief Operating Officer
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 (she/her) and Briggitte (“Gigi”) Bolanos Vieyra (she/her), sat down with Erick Roa (he/him), 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
x
🎙️From Internships To Job Offers
Obtaining internship experience during college means gaining hands-on job experience, exploring different career options, and growing your network. It also means having better job opportunities after college graduation.
In this episode of the money conversations podcast series, Making Waves financial services coordinators, Leticia (“Leti”) Perez (she/her) and Briggitte (“Gigi”) Bolanos Vieyra (she/her), sat down with Elaine Fernandez (she/her) to talk all things internships.
A first-generation college graduate, Elaine completed five internships during college to explore fields like finance, marketing, and real estate.
With her college degree in hand without any student loan debt, Elaine is now an engagement financial advisor. She shared her college and career story and her advice for the next generation of college grads, including:
- How to find and apply for internship programs
- Ways to improve application and interview skills to get internship offers
- How to ask for help and make the most of mentorship
- The financial and career impacts of choosing between paid and unpaid internships
- The short- and long-term benefits of internships
- How to make the transition from college and internships to full-time career
🎙️ My Grad School Journey
Are you considering graduate school and wondering if the cost is worth it? We’ve got you covered!
In this episode of the money conversations podcast series, Making Waves financial services coordinators, Leticia (“Leti”) Perez (she/her) and Briggitte (“Gigi”) Bolanos Vieyra (she/her), sat down with Danielle Hall (she/her), college success coach at Making Waves, for a candid conversation on the financial and career considerations around graduate school decisions.
Danielle shared about her personal graduate school journey pursuing a Master of Science, or M.S., degree in college counseling and student development, covering topics like:
- Time, cost, and job considerations in deciding if graduate school is right for you
- How to align your graduate school degree with your career growth goals
- Choosing between public and private universities and different program options
- How to pay for graduate school and manage your college budget
- How to maximize the financial and career benefits of graduate school
🎙️ Undocumented in Higher Ed
Undocumented students face unique challenges in pursuit of college degrees and job opportunities – from inequities in access to higher education to complexities in financial aid to the stressors that come with uncertainty.
In this episode of the money conversations podcast series, Making Waves financial services coordinator, Briggitte (“Gigi”) Bolanos Vieyra (she/her), and Paola Cadena (she/her), senior manager of early career and alumni at Making Waves, came together for an open conversation on what it’s like to be undocumented in higher education.
Paola and Gigi shared about their personal journeys to share learnings that might support fellow undocumented students and educators in navigating topics like:
- How to afford college when faced with financial challenges and limited access to federal financial aid and scholarships
- Understanding resources like DACA and the California Dream Act, undocumented student centers on college campuses, and organizations that support undocumented students, like Immigrants Rising
- Considerations to weigh when making financial decisions for college and beyond
- Strategies to overcome barriers to reach education and employment goals, including through internships and post-grad jobs
