March 14, 2025 • 19 mins
In this episode of First Gen 101, host Miguel Sanchez interviews Laura Valencia Gomez, who shares her inspiring college journey as a first-generation graduate. Laura discusses her experiences from moving to the US from Colombia, adapting to a new culture, navigating the college selection process, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of mentorship. She also touches on her role at Latino U College Access (LUCA), where she supports current first-gen students through their academic paths. Tune in to hear about Laura's perseverance, self-discovery, and the valuable lessons she learned.Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Miguel Sanchez (00:10):
Welcome to first gen 1 0 1, the podcast
where first-generation graduatesshare their stories and courier
tips.
I am your host.
Miguel Sanchez.
And this episode, Lada sharesher college journey of
perseverance.
Self discovery and building afuture.
Listen in to learn more and beinspired by loud us experience.
(00:34):
Welcome to another episode ofthe first gen one on one
podcast.
Today we have Laura ValenciaGomez.
Laura, thank you for being heretoday.
Laura Valentina Valencia (00:45):
Thank you for having me, Miguel.
Miguel Sanchez (00:47):
Laura, can you tell me about your background?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (00:51):
I was born in Manizales, Colombia.
It is a city on a mountain.
I call it, mom, dad, they cameto America because they couldn't
find work.
That was when I was, 12 yearsold.
They came to New York.
First, my dad, to lay thegroundwork.
Then my mom and I came a yearafter.
We were in Austin, soWestchester based kind of
(01:11):
always, and then Fox Lane HighSchool, you know, and then the
whole education system, butpretty much my background starts
in Columbia, and was raised inWestchester.
Miguel Sanchez (01:22):
Do you remember anything about Columbia?
How was that growing up?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (01:27):
What I remember growing up was just
surrounded by family.
Latinos.
Are raised by community.
So all I remember is all of myfamily members.
I remember coming to America,like I moved when I was four.
The memories are sparse, that Ihave before that.
But, just remember a lot offamily and then coming here, I
(01:48):
remember not having that muchfamily.
Miguel Sanchez (01:50):
How was the process of choosing a college
for you?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (01:55):
I remember, I went to Fox Lane
High School, at the time it waspredominantly white, the way I
chose, a college, beforeinvolving my parents and
resources was just where myfriends were going, my friends
were going to Yale, Harvard, soI was like, okay, I guess that's
where I want to go, And thenmeeting with a guidance
counselor's reality set in thatthese are really expensive
(02:15):
schools and you have to haveReally high academic standing
and the high academic standing Ihad but Then became the
challenge of, okay, whererealistically can you go?
Because, you're in Fox Lane HighSchool and all your friends are
going to these places, butrealistically, where can you go?
That's when the fear set in.
Couldn't ask my parents.
(02:37):
The way I chose a college is Iactually got involved in an
organization called LUCA, LatinoYouth College Access.
They helped with everything.
They helped me make my collegelist, and realistically see
where I could go.
I also got a scholarship,thankfully, at my high school,
and they kind of geared my focusto some schools that were more
(02:58):
affordable.
In the end, I chose BinghamtonUniversity
Miguel Sanchez (03:01):
did you visit the schools your first day of
college.
The first time you visited thecollege you attended, how was
that process of the search andthe visits?
we know these big colleges andnames, but we often don't know
where they are.
Did you get to visit thiscolleges and how was that like
for you?
Laura Valentina Valencia (03:21):
Yeah, I was fortunate enough where I
had, a lot of friends that, hadthe privilege to visit.
Big colleges.
So I did go with my Americanfriends to visit Boston.
I went to see Harvard.
I went to Chicago to seeNorthwestern.
And I think after all of thoseand kind of, wow, this is
(03:43):
amazing.
And after reality set in I toldmy parents I wanted to visit
Binghamton.
So it was a little family tripbecause it was more like
realistically, this is wherewe're going to go.
And I remember that trip.
My parents took a weekend.
I think It was a day forprospective students, We were
able to drive up, thankfully,and I got to see the place
(04:04):
before choosing it.
I was fortunate enough where Idid get to see a lot of
universities, and I got to seeBinghamton before I went.
So, the first day wasn't tooscary, scary for other reasons,
but not for me.
Because I hadn't seen it before.
Miguel Sanchez (04:18):
What was your parents reaction when they
arrived at Binghamton?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (04:24):
They were shocked.
I think they were impressed.
I think they would have beenmore impressed with the other
schools, but that was the firstschool they had visited ever.
My mother went to a two yearschool.
She got her associate's degreein Columbia.
My father, he also got anassociate's degree, for art.
So it's, And there were smallinstitutions.
I went to visit Columbia and Isaw them very small schools.
(04:46):
They look like high schools,sort of.
So I think when they sawBinghamton it just kind of
looked like a castle.
I remember my sister was justlike, why are we here?
What is this place?
Super cool.
And I think they were excited.
I think they felt safe seeingit.
And I think they felt that itwas everything they wanted for
(05:06):
their daughter the sense I got.
Miguel Sanchez (05:08):
So you're now at your first semester in
college.
were some of the biggestchallenges you encountered as a
first generation student?
Laura Valentina Valencia Go (05:19):
The biggest challenges that I
encountered I think was just thesense of imposter syndrome was a
big one.
Every student I met, like myroommates really felt like they
belonged and had a clear careerpath.
I felt very alone in that, wherelike, all I know was that I need
(05:41):
to graduate college.
After that, I have zero goals.
You know, my parents have pushedfinish college.
Okay, that's what my focus is.
So it was very, it was eyeopening.
I got to meet a lot of peopleand, hear a lot of stories and I
love talking to people.
So that's great.
However, the more stories, themore ideas and the more, the
(06:02):
more I wanted to figure out whatI wanted to do.
And I will say I went in premed, so first semester I was
very excited with all the premed students.
That first semester was okaybecause the adjustment, you
know, I was adjusting whenyou're, distracted, it's okay.
I think it started to settle inafter a couple months.
Miguel Sanchez (06:20):
How did you overcome?
That separation of being awayfrom home, in addition to the
challenges of, this impostersyndrome.
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (06:32):
I called my mom a lot.
She was someone I, called towhen I was crying, when I got a
good grade, When anything bighappened, she was just someone I
kept in contact with.
I felt really bad for my dad andsister.
I think I kind of avoided themin a way, if that makes sense.
Thanksgiving was kind of weird,because no one was mad at me.
(06:54):
They were happy to see me.
My dad and sister were not madthat they hadn't heard from me.
My mom was telling themeverything.
So that separation wasincredibly difficult because
there's so many questions.
It's a new normal for you andyour family.
And it's an adjustment period.
I just really held on to my momthrough the phone and was very
thankful when I saw them forThanksgiving, it was like
(07:15):
running, driving, rushing home.
Miguel Sanchez (07:18):
One of the things I've noticed about
successful students likeyourself is the role of mentors
in their life.
How did you find mentors throughthe college process and how are
some of the ways that theyhelped you?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (07:37):
I think the best mentors come
naturally.
Not saying that if you seekthem, they won't be amazing.
Mine came naturally I had anamazing academic advisor who
mentored me in picking my major.
I think that is somethingpeople.
take lightly sometimes picking amajor, can be light because you
can do anything with any major.
(07:57):
However, just having someone tokind of guide you and I, Sort of
went through like four differentmajors.
So he would meet with me ask ifthis is truly what I wanted,
what I saw, what I would get outof these courses that I was
choosing, what I truly wanted.
So he came very naturally and hejust kind of guided me.
He's someone that I'll alwaysremember, but not someone that I
(08:18):
talked to frequently.
Another natural mentor that Iwas able to work with was, a
Peace Corps.
Recruiter.
I was a Peace Corps ambassadorin college.
And this recruiter, I was theonly ambassador.
So, for the first year he camefrom a military background, so
he was very strict.
And I think, me as a very smallLatino girl, it was very
(08:40):
aggressive.
But he taught me how to dealwith very, Difficult people.
He taught me how to, lead apresentation, how to go into
different classes with strangersand ask if anyone is interested
in the Peace Corps because it'sso great, even though I've never
been in it.
(09:00):
So sales, you know, sellingsomething that, you don't even
fully know.
He was great.
He wrote me a recommendation.
These are natural mentors that Iknow I can talk to, whenever I
need to, they really shaped meand just thankfully they came at
the right time.
I wasn't even seeking them, butthey kind of pushed me and
(09:22):
taught me, Honestly, I'm herebecause of them.
Miguel Sanchez (09:25):
Terrific.
And for those, listening andwondering, what is the Peace
Corps?
Can you tell us, briefly whatthey do and, what type of work
you did as an ambassador?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (09:35):
Yes, so the Peace Corps, it's a
government agency, it wascreated, like, back in the, in
the 90s, and it was just aninitiative to have Americans
help foreign countries.
So what the Peace Corps is whenyou sign up is, it's a two year
contract where you select thefocus you want, For example, I,
(09:56):
I applied to be, to do youthdevelopment.
So that was like the section,the sector that I wanted to be
in.
And then you choose a country,any country, they have a list of
countries and exactly what, whatthey need.
And you're there for two years,live with a host family and do
your work.
You're representing America,but, you're really in the nitty
gritty.
You're in it.
And similarly, I don't know ifpeople have heard AmeriCorps,
(10:17):
which is in America and that'steachers.
So it's, Americans who just wantto teach for, a year, and it's
just kind of like giving back,as the ambassador, it was
promoting that.
I would meet with thisrecruiter, A couple of times and
he would hand me the pamphlets Iwould go around clubs and
classes and hand out pamphlets,kind of get interest.
(10:39):
I would host, info sessions withthe recruiter, I'm very proud I
learned marketing andcommunication.
It was good.
Miguel Sanchez (10:47):
Before we talk about getting your first job and
the work that you do now, How doyou think completing your
undergrad degree transformedyour life?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (11:01):
I think I would say it was the
first biggest achievement I'veever made.
It transformed me and, I did it,it was really difficult.
I think for anyone, college isvery difficult.
It's fun, but it's alsoincredibly, taxing, emotionally
draining, all those things.
So I'm very grateful for thattime.
(11:24):
I feel like I learned so muchduring that time.
I'm different because ofeverything I learned.
It changes you.
It's four years.
You meet the people that you'regoing to talk to the rest of
your life.
It's very, transformativeeverything changes, hopefully,
right?
Miguel Sanchez (11:42):
How was the process of getting your first
job out of college?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (11:49):
I went the AmeriCorps route.
If you have resources, if youhave those connections, it makes
it a lot easier.
My mentor, from the Peace Corpsrecruiter, I unfortunately was
not able to do the Peace Corps,for other reasons.
He told me about AmeriCorps.
And That's what I wanted to do.
It was an easy application.
(12:09):
I was heading to Newark, NewJersey to, a charter school to
be an ELA tutor.
I just wanted something quick.
I knew everyone was havinggetting jobs.
Everyone was leaving.
I knew there was going to be nomore college.
I didn't want to move back homeagain, but yes, I wanted to see
my family, but I've been livingaway for four years.
(12:30):
So getting that job was veryexciting.
Nerve wracking and making thatdecision and move.
Miguel Sanchez (12:38):
And for everyone listening, we will have
links to the AmeriCorps andPeaceCorps in the show notes so
you can learn more if you'reinterested in perhaps pursuing a
career with them.
What are some of the challengesfirst gen students face as they
start their careers?
Do you think it's thenetworking?
Do you think it's the selfconfidence?
(13:00):
What are some challenges firstgen students face?
Laura Valentina Valencia (13:03):
Thank you nailed it.
And I think I'll speak a littlebit about them both.
The networking, it's just verystrange to leave college and go
into the workforce and justpeople know each other.
They know how to talk to eachother.
And you ask them, where'd youlearn this?
And, oh, I did an internship.
At that point, I hadn't done anyinternships.
(13:25):
The lack of networking led toself confidence.
Self esteem issues.
Do I really belong?
Did I really study the rightthing am I actually prepared to
do this?
Everyone looks kind of older,like everyone looks kind of more
prepared.
So all those feelings kind ofcame in.
And then the responsibility, Ithink, a big part of it.
(13:46):
The thing that came was theweight of the responsibility of
being the first person in yourfamily to actually have a job,
Miguel Sanchez (13:58):
being a first gen student and getting your
first job, you're navigating inuncharted territory, so to
speak.
Part of why we're doing thispodcast is because there are.
Wonderful people like you andothers doing this work and we
don't often know or understandwhat it takes to get there.
(14:20):
So just want to applaud that youhave done great in that sense.
Coming to the last section ofthis conversation.
Tell me about the work that youdo now and how are you and the
organization helping firstgeneration students?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gom (14:39):
So I am now the college success
manager for Latino U CollegeAccess.
It's an organization that helpsfirst generation Latino students
in the West Chester area ineight high schools, we're at
right now.
And there's two programs.
(15:00):
There's the Access program.
So.
The scholars apply their junioryear of high school, and in the
ACCESS program, until theygraduate high school, LUCA gives
them a coach.
So this coach helps with thecollege list, the essay writing.
The decision making, we havemanagers who also meet one on
(15:20):
one with our students, kind ofkeep trackers to make sure they
have everything handed in.
There's also SAT, ACT classesgiven for them.
And then a success side, whichI'm the manager of, is when the
students are in college.
So what, while I'm there incollege, what I kind of do is I
do check ins with them.
These are very importantbecause, college is very
(15:43):
difficult.
And I think a lot of Latinos,first generation,
Miguel Sanchez (15:46):
Hello.
Laura Valentina Valencia (15:50):
Being the first person, you don't want
to tell your parents you'refailing, I think we avoid it.
I think that it's very importantto have an organization who
checks in on you, honestly.
So I do these check ins and thenwe work on career readiness
workshops to get them ready.
Like resume building, LinkedInbuilding, interview, skills,
(16:11):
stuff like that.
They're part of the alumninetwork once they graduate
college.
So, we say LUCA is kind of forlife, Latino youth of a huge
family.
And, we just support firstgeneration Latino students to
not just get to college, butfinish and then succeed after.
Miguel Sanchez (16:28):
I think helping first generation students get to
college is the first step, butdoing that follow up It's an
equally important step.
It's important to have them incollege but as you said, who's
checking in with them and thereare challenges, hardships that
(16:49):
students may not be comfortablesharing with even their parents
or other people, but havingsomeone who checks on them, it's
really critical.
So, again, I applaud LUCA andits work and we will have a link
to their website on the shownotes.
Check it out and please supportit.
It is a not for profitorganization.
Whoever's listening, make sureyou support the work that Luca
is doing.
(17:10):
And to end, I want to ask youwhat do you wish you had known
as a first generation student,knowing what you know now?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (17:21):
From what I know now, I wish I had
known that it's okay to notknow.
It's okay that everyone elsearound you kind of knows.
I promise you, things willchange.
Life happens.
I just wish I had known that, Icould have talked to my parents
a little bit more, been morehonest, I was shocked when they
weren't mad at me.
(17:41):
I think a lot of first genstudents will be shocked that,
their families just miss you,they just want to hear from you.
I think I also wish I had knownabout more resources.
I didn't get to do aninternship.
I was just struggling withclasses and social life and
people.
balancing family life.
(18:01):
When summer hit, I did not wantto do an internship.
I wanted to see my friends andsee my family and spend time
with them.
I think just knowing that it'sokay not to know, but then also
you don't know what you don't.
So learn, be connected.
Miguel Sanchez (18:16):
Laura, thank you for speaking with me today.
Laura Valentina Valencia (18:19):
Thank you, Miguel, for having me.
It was a pleasure.
Miguel Sanchez (18:23):
Thanks for listening.
If you enjoyed the episode.
Subscribe to this podcast andshare it with a friend.
Until next time.
Welcome to first gen 1 0 1, the podcast
where first-generation graduatesshare their stories and courier
tips.
I am your host.
Miguel Sanchez.
And this episode, Lada sharesher college journey of
perseverance.
Self discovery and building afuture.
Listen in to learn more and beinspired by loud us experience.
(00:34):
Welcome to another episode ofthe first gen one on one
podcast.
Today we have Laura ValenciaGomez.
Laura, thank you for being heretoday.
Laura Valentina Valencia (00:45):
Thank you for having me, Miguel.
Miguel Sanchez (00:47):
Laura, can you tell me about your background?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (00:51):
I was born in Manizales, Colombia.
It is a city on a mountain.
I call it, mom, dad, they cameto America because they couldn't
find work.
That was when I was, 12 yearsold.
They came to New York.
First, my dad, to lay thegroundwork.
Then my mom and I came a yearafter.
We were in Austin, soWestchester based kind of
(01:11):
always, and then Fox Lane HighSchool, you know, and then the
whole education system, butpretty much my background starts
in Columbia, and was raised inWestchester.
Miguel Sanchez (01:22):
Do you remember anything about Columbia?
How was that growing up?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (01:27):
What I remember growing up was just
surrounded by family.
Latinos.
Are raised by community.
So all I remember is all of myfamily members.
I remember coming to America,like I moved when I was four.
The memories are sparse, that Ihave before that.
But, just remember a lot offamily and then coming here, I
(01:48):
remember not having that muchfamily.
Miguel Sanchez (01:50):
How was the process of choosing a college
for you?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (01:55):
I remember, I went to Fox Lane
High School, at the time it waspredominantly white, the way I
chose, a college, beforeinvolving my parents and
resources was just where myfriends were going, my friends
were going to Yale, Harvard, soI was like, okay, I guess that's
where I want to go, And thenmeeting with a guidance
counselor's reality set in thatthese are really expensive
(02:15):
schools and you have to haveReally high academic standing
and the high academic standing Ihad but Then became the
challenge of, okay, whererealistically can you go?
Because, you're in Fox Lane HighSchool and all your friends are
going to these places, butrealistically, where can you go?
That's when the fear set in.
Couldn't ask my parents.
(02:37):
The way I chose a college is Iactually got involved in an
organization called LUCA, LatinoYouth College Access.
They helped with everything.
They helped me make my collegelist, and realistically see
where I could go.
I also got a scholarship,thankfully, at my high school,
and they kind of geared my focusto some schools that were more
(02:58):
affordable.
In the end, I chose BinghamtonUniversity
Miguel Sanchez (03:01):
did you visit the schools your first day of
college.
The first time you visited thecollege you attended, how was
that process of the search andthe visits?
we know these big colleges andnames, but we often don't know
where they are.
Did you get to visit thiscolleges and how was that like
for you?
Laura Valentina Valencia (03:21):
Yeah, I was fortunate enough where I
had, a lot of friends that, hadthe privilege to visit.
Big colleges.
So I did go with my Americanfriends to visit Boston.
I went to see Harvard.
I went to Chicago to seeNorthwestern.
And I think after all of thoseand kind of, wow, this is
(03:43):
amazing.
And after reality set in I toldmy parents I wanted to visit
Binghamton.
So it was a little family tripbecause it was more like
realistically, this is wherewe're going to go.
And I remember that trip.
My parents took a weekend.
I think It was a day forprospective students, We were
able to drive up, thankfully,and I got to see the place
(04:04):
before choosing it.
I was fortunate enough where Idid get to see a lot of
universities, and I got to seeBinghamton before I went.
So, the first day wasn't tooscary, scary for other reasons,
but not for me.
Because I hadn't seen it before.
Miguel Sanchez (04:18):
What was your parents reaction when they
arrived at Binghamton?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (04:24):
They were shocked.
I think they were impressed.
I think they would have beenmore impressed with the other
schools, but that was the firstschool they had visited ever.
My mother went to a two yearschool.
She got her associate's degreein Columbia.
My father, he also got anassociate's degree, for art.
So it's, And there were smallinstitutions.
I went to visit Columbia and Isaw them very small schools.
(04:46):
They look like high schools,sort of.
So I think when they sawBinghamton it just kind of
looked like a castle.
I remember my sister was justlike, why are we here?
What is this place?
Super cool.
And I think they were excited.
I think they felt safe seeingit.
And I think they felt that itwas everything they wanted for
(05:06):
their daughter the sense I got.
Miguel Sanchez (05:08):
So you're now at your first semester in
college.
were some of the biggestchallenges you encountered as a
first generation student?
Laura Valentina Valencia Go (05:19):
The biggest challenges that I
encountered I think was just thesense of imposter syndrome was a
big one.
Every student I met, like myroommates really felt like they
belonged and had a clear careerpath.
I felt very alone in that, wherelike, all I know was that I need
(05:41):
to graduate college.
After that, I have zero goals.
You know, my parents have pushedfinish college.
Okay, that's what my focus is.
So it was very, it was eyeopening.
I got to meet a lot of peopleand, hear a lot of stories and I
love talking to people.
So that's great.
However, the more stories, themore ideas and the more, the
(06:02):
more I wanted to figure out whatI wanted to do.
And I will say I went in premed, so first semester I was
very excited with all the premed students.
That first semester was okaybecause the adjustment, you
know, I was adjusting whenyou're, distracted, it's okay.
I think it started to settle inafter a couple months.
Miguel Sanchez (06:20):
How did you overcome?
That separation of being awayfrom home, in addition to the
challenges of, this impostersyndrome.
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (06:32):
I called my mom a lot.
She was someone I, called towhen I was crying, when I got a
good grade, When anything bighappened, she was just someone I
kept in contact with.
I felt really bad for my dad andsister.
I think I kind of avoided themin a way, if that makes sense.
Thanksgiving was kind of weird,because no one was mad at me.
(06:54):
They were happy to see me.
My dad and sister were not madthat they hadn't heard from me.
My mom was telling themeverything.
So that separation wasincredibly difficult because
there's so many questions.
It's a new normal for you andyour family.
And it's an adjustment period.
I just really held on to my momthrough the phone and was very
thankful when I saw them forThanksgiving, it was like
(07:15):
running, driving, rushing home.
Miguel Sanchez (07:18):
One of the things I've noticed about
successful students likeyourself is the role of mentors
in their life.
How did you find mentors throughthe college process and how are
some of the ways that theyhelped you?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (07:37):
I think the best mentors come
naturally.
Not saying that if you seekthem, they won't be amazing.
Mine came naturally I had anamazing academic advisor who
mentored me in picking my major.
I think that is somethingpeople.
take lightly sometimes picking amajor, can be light because you
can do anything with any major.
(07:57):
However, just having someone tokind of guide you and I, Sort of
went through like four differentmajors.
So he would meet with me ask ifthis is truly what I wanted,
what I saw, what I would get outof these courses that I was
choosing, what I truly wanted.
So he came very naturally and hejust kind of guided me.
He's someone that I'll alwaysremember, but not someone that I
(08:18):
talked to frequently.
Another natural mentor that Iwas able to work with was, a
Peace Corps.
Recruiter.
I was a Peace Corps ambassadorin college.
And this recruiter, I was theonly ambassador.
So, for the first year he camefrom a military background, so
he was very strict.
And I think, me as a very smallLatino girl, it was very
(08:40):
aggressive.
But he taught me how to dealwith very, Difficult people.
He taught me how to, lead apresentation, how to go into
different classes with strangersand ask if anyone is interested
in the Peace Corps because it'sso great, even though I've never
been in it.
(09:00):
So sales, you know, sellingsomething that, you don't even
fully know.
He was great.
He wrote me a recommendation.
These are natural mentors that Iknow I can talk to, whenever I
need to, they really shaped meand just thankfully they came at
the right time.
I wasn't even seeking them, butthey kind of pushed me and
(09:22):
taught me, Honestly, I'm herebecause of them.
Miguel Sanchez (09:25):
Terrific.
And for those, listening andwondering, what is the Peace
Corps?
Can you tell us, briefly whatthey do and, what type of work
you did as an ambassador?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (09:35):
Yes, so the Peace Corps, it's a
government agency, it wascreated, like, back in the, in
the 90s, and it was just aninitiative to have Americans
help foreign countries.
So what the Peace Corps is whenyou sign up is, it's a two year
contract where you select thefocus you want, For example, I,
(09:56):
I applied to be, to do youthdevelopment.
So that was like the section,the sector that I wanted to be
in.
And then you choose a country,any country, they have a list of
countries and exactly what, whatthey need.
And you're there for two years,live with a host family and do
your work.
You're representing America,but, you're really in the nitty
gritty.
You're in it.
And similarly, I don't know ifpeople have heard AmeriCorps,
(10:17):
which is in America and that'steachers.
So it's, Americans who just wantto teach for, a year, and it's
just kind of like giving back,as the ambassador, it was
promoting that.
I would meet with thisrecruiter, A couple of times and
he would hand me the pamphlets Iwould go around clubs and
classes and hand out pamphlets,kind of get interest.
(10:39):
I would host, info sessions withthe recruiter, I'm very proud I
learned marketing andcommunication.
It was good.
Miguel Sanchez (10:47):
Before we talk about getting your first job and
the work that you do now, How doyou think completing your
undergrad degree transformedyour life?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (11:01):
I think I would say it was the
first biggest achievement I'veever made.
It transformed me and, I did it,it was really difficult.
I think for anyone, college isvery difficult.
It's fun, but it's alsoincredibly, taxing, emotionally
draining, all those things.
So I'm very grateful for thattime.
(11:24):
I feel like I learned so muchduring that time.
I'm different because ofeverything I learned.
It changes you.
It's four years.
You meet the people that you'regoing to talk to the rest of
your life.
It's very, transformativeeverything changes, hopefully,
right?
Miguel Sanchez (11:42):
How was the process of getting your first
job out of college?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gome (11:49):
I went the AmeriCorps route.
If you have resources, if youhave those connections, it makes
it a lot easier.
My mentor, from the Peace Corpsrecruiter, I unfortunately was
not able to do the Peace Corps,for other reasons.
He told me about AmeriCorps.
And That's what I wanted to do.
It was an easy application.
(12:09):
I was heading to Newark, NewJersey to, a charter school to
be an ELA tutor.
I just wanted something quick.
I knew everyone was havinggetting jobs.
Everyone was leaving.
I knew there was going to be nomore college.
I didn't want to move back homeagain, but yes, I wanted to see
my family, but I've been livingaway for four years.
(12:30):
So getting that job was veryexciting.
Nerve wracking and making thatdecision and move.
Miguel Sanchez (12:38):
And for everyone listening, we will have
links to the AmeriCorps andPeaceCorps in the show notes so
you can learn more if you'reinterested in perhaps pursuing a
career with them.
What are some of the challengesfirst gen students face as they
start their careers?
Do you think it's thenetworking?
Do you think it's the selfconfidence?
(13:00):
What are some challenges firstgen students face?
Laura Valentina Valencia (13:03):
Thank you nailed it.
And I think I'll speak a littlebit about them both.
The networking, it's just verystrange to leave college and go
into the workforce and justpeople know each other.
They know how to talk to eachother.
And you ask them, where'd youlearn this?
And, oh, I did an internship.
At that point, I hadn't done anyinternships.
(13:25):
The lack of networking led toself confidence.
Self esteem issues.
Do I really belong?
Did I really study the rightthing am I actually prepared to
do this?
Everyone looks kind of older,like everyone looks kind of more
prepared.
So all those feelings kind ofcame in.
And then the responsibility, Ithink, a big part of it.
(13:46):
The thing that came was theweight of the responsibility of
being the first person in yourfamily to actually have a job,
Miguel Sanchez (13:58):
being a first gen student and getting your
first job, you're navigating inuncharted territory, so to
speak.
Part of why we're doing thispodcast is because there are.
Wonderful people like you andothers doing this work and we
don't often know or understandwhat it takes to get there.
(14:20):
So just want to applaud that youhave done great in that sense.
Coming to the last section ofthis conversation.
Tell me about the work that youdo now and how are you and the
organization helping firstgeneration students?
Laura Valentina Valencia Gom (14:39):
So I am now the college success
manager for Latino U CollegeAccess.
It's an organization that helpsfirst generation Latino students
in the West Chester area ineight high schools, we're at
right now.
And there's two programs.
(15:00):
There's the Access program.
So.
The scholars apply their junioryear of high school, and in the
ACCESS program, until theygraduate high school, LUCA gives
them a coach.
So this coach helps with thecollege list, the essay writing.
The decision making, we havemanagers who also meet one on
(15:20):
one with our students, kind ofkeep trackers to make sure they
have everything handed in.
There's also SAT, ACT classesgiven for them.
And then a success side, whichI'm the manager of, is when the
students are in college.
So what, while I'm there incollege, what I kind of do is I
do check ins with them.
These are very importantbecause, college is very
(15:43):
difficult.
And I think a lot of Latinos,first generation,
Miguel Sanchez (15:46):
Hello.
Laura Valentina Valencia (15:50):
Being the first person, you don't want
to tell your parents you'refailing, I think we avoid it.
I think that it's very importantto have an organization who
checks in on you, honestly.
So I do these check ins and thenwe work on career readiness
workshops to get them ready.
Like resume building, LinkedInbuilding, interview, skills,
(16:11):
stuff like that.
They're part of the alumninetwork once they graduate
college.
So, we say LUCA is kind of forlife, Latino youth of a huge
family.
And, we just support firstgeneration Latino students to
not just get to college, butfinish and then succeed after.
Miguel Sanchez (16:28):
I think helping first generation students get to
college is the first step, butdoing that follow up It's an
equally important step.
It's important to have them incollege but as you said, who's
checking in with them and thereare challenges, hardships that
(16:49):
students may not be comfortablesharing with even their parents
or other people, but havingsomeone who checks on them, it's
really critical.
So, again, I applaud LUCA andits work and we will have a link
to their website on the shownotes.
Check it out and please supportit.
It is a not for profitorganization.
Whoever's listening, make sureyou support the work that Luca
is doing.
(17:10):
And to end, I want to ask youwhat do you wish you had known
as a first generation student,knowing what you know now?
Laura Valentina Valencia G (17:21):
From what I know now, I wish I had
known that it's okay to notknow.
It's okay that everyone elsearound you kind of knows.
I promise you, things willchange.
Life happens.
I just wish I had known that, Icould have talked to my parents
a little bit more, been morehonest, I was shocked when they
weren't mad at me.
(17:41):
I think a lot of first genstudents will be shocked that,
their families just miss you,they just want to hear from you.
I think I also wish I had knownabout more resources.
I didn't get to do aninternship.
I was just struggling withclasses and social life and
people.
balancing family life.
(18:01):
When summer hit, I did not wantto do an internship.
I wanted to see my friends andsee my family and spend time
with them.
I think just knowing that it'sokay not to know, but then also
you don't know what you don't.
So learn, be connected.
Miguel Sanchez (18:16):
Laura, thank you for speaking with me today.
Laura Valentina Valencia (18:19):
Thank you, Miguel, for having me.
It was a pleasure.
Miguel Sanchez (18:23):
Thanks for listening.
If you enjoyed the episode.
Subscribe to this podcast andshare it with a friend.
Until next time.
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