Best Firstgenerationprofessional Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 24: Managing Money with Dannielle 21:53

Play Pause

6y ago21:53

21:53

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 attend…

1
Episode 23: Supporting First Gen Students with CAP 38:44

6y ago38:44

38:44

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 …

1
Episode 22: Comprehensive First Gen Programs 18:51

6y ago18:51

18:51

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 compr…

1
Episode 21: Introducing 8 Correlates of First Gen Success with Elisa 7:24

6+ y ago7:24

7:24

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

1
Episode 20: Guilt, Perspective, and Connection with Israel 36:23

6+ y ago36:23

36:23

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 u…

1
Episode 19: Recognizing Your Value with Maira 41:54

6+ y ago41:54

41:54

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.…

1
Episode 18: Creating a Career Path with Rocio 38:18

6+ y ago38:18

38:18

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 s…

1
Episode 17: Learning to Relate with Cesar 36:42

6+ y ago36:42

36:42

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 …

1
Episode 16: Choosing Between Two Paths with Andrea 34:18

6+ y ago34:18

34:18

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.…

1
Episode 15: Learning to be Strategic with Ernesto 43:29

6+ y ago43:29

43:29

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.…

1
Episode 14: A Life of Purpose with Jessica 40:27

7y ago40:27

40:27

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 decis…

1
Episode 13: Working your way up with Germán 35:23

7y ago35:23

35:23

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 televisi…

1
Ep 12: Persistence with Jackie 42:34

7y ago42:34

42:34

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…

1
Ep 11: Rewriting Success with Liz 36:43

7y ago36:43

36:43

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…

1
Ep 10: Lack of Guidance with Mirna 37:17

7y ago37:17

37:17

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 discuss…

1
Ep. 9 Returning to Science with Gio 31:44

7y ago31:44

31:44

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.By Elisa Hernandez, Ph.D.

1
Ep 8: Managing Expectations with Faby 31:05

7y ago31:05

31:05

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.…

1
Ep 7: Learning to Ask for Help with Cynthia 38:25

7y ago38:25

38:25

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 h…

1
Ep. 6 Aligning Career with Personal Values with Ramon 39:28

7y ago39:28

39:28

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 v…

1
Ep 5: Seizing Opportunities with Javier 33:43

7y ago33:43

33:43

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.By Elisa Hernandez, Ph.D.

1
Ep 4: Importance of Mentors with Rondell 32:22

7+ y ago32:22

32:22

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…

1
Ep 3: Financial Limitations with Leticia 34:45

7+ y ago34:45

34:45

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.By Elisa Hernandez, Ph.D.

1
Ep 2: Finding the Right Fit with Allan 37:11

7+ y ago37:11

37:11

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.…

1
FGJ Sneak Peek 5:24

7+ y ago5:24

5:24

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.By Elisa Hernandez, Ph.D.

1
Ep 1: Community College with Susan 27:38

7+ y ago27:38

27:38

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