Giovanna Barragan, a first-gen college student at USC, celebrates first-gen student day. “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.”
As a sociology major at California State University, Stanislaus, Jezebelle Maldonado (she/her) chose an undergraduate research topic that wasn’t just about academics. It was personal. Now a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree to her name, Jezebelle is working in the healthcare field as a behavior technician and is considering a master’s degree in the future. “One thing I am taking with me from college is to not be afraid to build connections,” she said
A first-gen college grad, Avery Tomlin (he/him) chats about changing his college major and exploring his different career paths and passions – including fashion design – during college.
Feeling overwhelmed in college with courses, clubs, organizations, internships, and social networks? Here are five tips to manage your time effectively!
After switching from being a computer science major to a design major at UC Davis, Avery Tomlin Ricondo is sharing factors to consider when choosing the best major for you.
Congrats, you’ve made it to college! As you make the most of your college experience, you’ll need a plan to reach college graduation – on time, with as little debt as possible, and ready for your first job. Here are the steps you can take – and revisit each term – to stay on track to reaching your college degree.
What do you want to focus on this term to help you achieve your bigger plans for college graduation and beyond? Dive into goal setting tips and student examples from Ayasha Tripp, senior college coach manager.
A first-gen college graduate, Estefan Cervantes obtained three corporate internships during his time at Northeastern University. “I’m looking forward to being financially stable and having the ability to explore the world,” he shared reflecting on his higher education journey and next steps after graduating from Northeastern debt-free thanks to the Making Waves scholarship.
“College and post-college can become a jumbled and confusing road. But the structure from Making Waves makes it all possible,” shared Abraham Segura (he/him), a first-gen grad who followed his passions and earned his degree from San Francisco State.
89 Bay Area students from low-income backgrounds earned $2.3 million total in college scholarships and are paired with Making Waves college coaches, financial coordinators, and career specialists.
Jonathan Negrete, a Chico State grad and relationship manager at Fidelity, shares his tips for networking and gaining career experience during and after college.
The scholarships and coaching from Making Waves made attending UC Berkeley attainable for first-gen college student Ale Paz, who has found community on campus, studied abroad, and completed a global internship. “College has given me so much freedom to explore these opportunities and figure out what’s best for me. It’s been a great journey,” Ale said.
