First Gen Journey

Episode 24: Managing Money with Dannielle

October 29, 2019 21:00 - 21 minutes - 25.1 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Dannielle Romoleroux, a Program Manager at a diversity recruiting start-up in New York, about her First Gen Journey. She recently started a passion project focused on documenting her financial goals and progress, First Gen Money. She discusses how she didn’t really consider money when applying to and attending college but re-paying her loans has become her priority and motivated her to think more critically about how she manages her money.

Episode 23: Supporting First Gen Students with CAP

October 08, 2019 20:48 - 38 minutes - 44.4 MB

Today’s episode features a panel from Making Waves Foundation’s College & Alumni Program (CAP). CAP provides financial literacy, college coaching, scholarships, career development, and professional networking opportunities to close the gap from college acceptance to college completion for low-income and underserved college students. Four CAP staff members – Ana Calderon, David Ochoa, Dr. Kristina Wright, and Victoria Kupu, will be sharing their experiences as First Gen Professionals working ...

Episode 22: Comprehensive First Gen Programs

October 04, 2019 19:18 - 18 minutes - 21.6 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez reviews two articles that highlight how universities can support First Gen students through comprehensive programming. Dr. Hernandez discusses how social support, financial support, academic support, faculty engagement, mentoring/advising, and high impact educational practices should be central components to any comprehensive First Gen program.

Episode 21: Introducing 8 Correlates of First Gen Success with Elisa

September 10, 2019 13:00 - 7 minutes - 8.51 MB

Dr. Hernandez introduces the changes to season 3 and outlines the eight correlates of First Gen success that she will discuss throughout the season.

Episode 20: Guilt, Perspective, and Connection with Israel

August 06, 2019 21:00 - 36 minutes - 41.7 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Israel Rojas-Moreno, a Senior Consultant at Capital Group about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how he felt guilty about having distance from the challenges his family faced back home and how his long-term perspective was vital in helping him stay motivated for school. He also shared how he learned to utilize the strengths of his First Gen identity to relate to others and build meaningful relationships with colleagues and family members.

Episode 19: Recognizing Your Value with Maira

July 23, 2019 21:00 - 41 minutes - 48 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Maira Hernández, an author, blogger, and Recruitment Specialist at a non-profit organization about her First Gen Journey. She discusses her struggle to understand herself better, find balance, and advocate for a professional space that would allow her to feel valued.

Episode 18: Creating a Career Path with Rocio

June 11, 2019 20:30 - 38 minutes - 43.9 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Rocio Herrera, an A-G Diploma Project Counselor at a high school in Los Angeles, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses her early need for structure and guidance, her strategy for creating a career path that would provide flexibility and security, and how her First Gen identity helps her relate to her students.

Episode 17: Learning to Relate with Cesar

May 28, 2019 20:00 - 36 minutes - 42 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Cesar Tiscareño, a civil engineer and project manager, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how he had trouble relating to others who didn’t share his background in both academic and professional settings. Finding mentors, clarifying his professional values, and challenging some of his own assumptions helped him develop meaningful relationships and build a satisfying career.

Episode 16: Choosing Between Two Paths with Andrea

May 07, 2019 20:00 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Andrea Hernandez, a Relationship Advisor at a commercial bank, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses her decision to transition from one major to another, her experience joining a sorority, and the two separate career paths she carved out for herself during college.

Episode 15: Learning to be Strategic with Ernesto

April 09, 2019 20:00 - 43 minutes - 49.8 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Ernesto Velázquez, Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses struggling with coursework before leaning in to his interests, navigating law school and the legal profession while feeling different, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Episode 14: A Life of Purpose with Jessica

March 19, 2019 19:00 - 40 minutes - 46.3 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Jessica Tovar, a project manager working in public policy, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses how the inequality she experienced in college sparked a passion for social justice and creating change. Her parents didn’t necessarily understand her career path but they trusted her to make the right decisions for her life.

Episode 13: Working your way up with Germán

March 05, 2019 22:00 - 35 minutes - 40.5 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Germán Ornelas, a freelance producer and editor in the television industry, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how his major didn’t really prepare him for his career but his college experience was vital to his personal growth. He also details the trials and triumphs of navigating a career in television production.

Ep 12: Persistence with Jackie

February 19, 2019 22:00 - 42 minutes - 48.8 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Jacqueline Medina, a Human Resources Analyst, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses how her experience studying abroad shaped her perspective and love of traveling. She also describes how she struggled to find work in her chosen career but through persistence and determination was able to land a job in Human Resources.

Ep 11: Rewriting Success with Liz

February 05, 2019 20:39 - 36 minutes - 42.1 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Elizabeth Ayala, Program Manager, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses how she developed a career in the non-profit sector and the challenges of being First Gen and pursuing work in social justice. She also reflects on how she navigates educating her family, making choices for herself, and maintaining positive family relationships.

Ep 10: Lack of Guidance with Mirna

December 11, 2018 20:52 - 37 minutes - 42.7 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Mirna Pineda, Supervising Probation Officer, about her First Gen Journey. Mirna was encouraged to pursue higher education by her father’s love of learning and a desire to be self-sufficient. Mirna details the lack of guidance she experienced throughout college and when deciding on a career path. She discusses her expectations for a professional career and the circumstances that led to a career that combines her interest in criminal law and desire to ...

Ep. 9 Returning to Science with Gio

November 28, 2018 01:22 - 31 minutes - 36.4 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Giovanni Ruiz, Software Developer, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how losing interest in school during his adolescence affected his college experience. He also reflects on how his social consciousness has impacted his professional interests.

Ep 8: Managing Expectations with Faby

November 13, 2018 21:08 - 31 minutes - 35.6 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Fabiola Rangel, Director of Marketing for Latin America for Warner Bros., about her First Gen Journey. She discusses the sacrifices she made to pursue a career that matched her interests and strengths. Faby also reflects on how her intersecting identities influenced her career trajectory.

Ep 7: Learning to Ask for Help with Cynthia

October 31, 2018 00:28 - 38 minutes - 44 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Cynthia Gomez, Vice President of Customer Experience at Silversheet, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses the support she received from her high school and parents to pursue medical school before making the decision to deviate from that path. Cynthia also reflects on how personal difficulties helped her learn to ask for help and acknowledge a need for balance.

Ep. 6 Aligning Career with Personal Values with Ramon

October 16, 2018 20:05 - 39 minutes - 45.2 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Ramon Ramirez, a Los Angeles based artist, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how his parent’s work ethic allowed him to succeed in school and his profession, the transition in his professional life from architect to professor to artist, and the importance of aligning your career with your personal values.

Ep 5: Seizing Opportunities with Javier

October 02, 2018 21:19 - 33 minutes - 38.6 MB

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Javier Tiscareño, a civil engineer, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses academic stumbling blocks, the impact of a supportive college program, the role of relationships in college and career, and the importance of timing and seizing opportunities.

Ep 4: Importance of Mentors with Rondell

September 18, 2018 20:00 - 32 minutes - 37.1 MB

In this episode, I chat with Rondell about his First Gen Journey. He discusses the lack of mentorship and guidance he had in his college journey, the impact of a caring professor, and the eventual shift he made to pursue entrepreneurship. Rondell also reflects on how college helped him grow as a person but internships and experience helped him grow professionally.

Ep 3: Financial Limitations with Leticia

September 05, 2018 00:00 - 34 minutes - 27.9 MB

In this episode, I chat with Leticia about her First Gen Journey. She discusses the lack of information she had about college and the influence of a caring teacher who helped her start the college process. Leticia also reflects on the financial limitations she experienced as an architecture major.

Ep 2: Finding the Right Fit with Allan

August 22, 2018 06:46 - 37 minutes - 42.6 MB

In this episode, I chat with Allan about his First Gen Journey. He discusses the factors that contributed to his transitions from pre-med, to business administration, to working in the computer science field. Allan reflects on the influence of his parents on his career choices and the consequences of not finishing his degree.

FGJ Sneak Peek

August 08, 2018 05:34 - 5 minutes - 6.21 MB

This is a preview of First Gen Journey where Dr. Hernandez describes the motivation for and purpose of a podcast for first generation college students and professionals.

Ep 1: Community College with Susan

August 08, 2018 05:30 - 27 minutes - 31.7 MB

Dr. Hernandez interviews Susan Fletcher, a Library Assistant in a public library system, about her journey as a first generation college student and professional.

Episodes