September 5, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode of the First Gen 101 podcast, host Miguel Sanchez is joined by social worker Dashelle Disna. They discuss Dashelle's journey as a first-generation American, her path from high school at Spring Valley to Dominican University, and her transition to social work. Dashelle shares the impact of extracurricular activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, and the value of vocational schools and community involvement. The conversation offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of a first-gen college student and provides valuable advice for navigating college, career choices, and the importance of networking and financial planning.
00:00 Introduction to Social Work
00:57 Welcome to the First Gen 101 Podcast
02:04 Dachelle's Background and High School Experience
02:32 College Decisions and Family Influence
04:14 Switching Majors and Finding Passion in Social Work
05:03 College Life and Extracurricular Activities
08:07 Impactful Experiences with Habitat for Humanity
12:50 Challenges and Rewards of Social Work
21:36 Advice for Future Students
26:50 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dashelle Disna (00:00):
Social workers are here to provide help.
(00:03):
We want to know what hashappened in your life that makes
you the way that you are, andwhat resources can we give you
to alleviate those type ofthings we look at.
We try to look at the strengthsof a person instead of their
weaknesses.
'cause we all come with trauma.
We all, we all come with certainthings.
We want to know why is thisperson the way that they are.
So with those kind ofassessments, you can figure out
(00:23):
why this person is the way, theway that they are based on their
family, where they grew up.
Culture, heritage, it's alwaysgood learning about that, about
that with people Don't just rushinto college just because
everybody's doing it.
If somebody, that's, if somepeople, if you need to take a
year off to work before you payfor school, do that because some
(00:46):
people need a break.
You've been in school ever sinceyou were four and now you are 18
and now you wanna go to moreschool.
Like there's no rush.
Miguel Sanchez (00:57):
Welcome everyone to another episode of
the First Gen 101 podcast.
Today I have Dachelle Disna.
Dachelle, thank you for joiningme today.
Dashelle Disna (01:07):
Thank you.
Happy to be here.
Miguel Sanchez (01:10):
Dachelle, we've known each other now for just
about a year or more.
We attend the same church,CrossLife Church in Thiells, New
York, and you've been ablessing.
You've been helping out with theworship team, with the social
media team as well.
So you've been really involvedand we are, we're happy to have
(01:32):
you at CrossLife.
And Recently we've talked aboutthe podcast and, the sort of
what we're looking for and theintent with this.
And we were just talking aboutthis a moment ago of how this
has been really helpful to, notonly students, but to guidance
counselors, helping them, have aresource for their students.
(01:54):
And we're going to start offwith, can you share about your
background and where did youlive during your high school
years?
Dashelle Disna (02:04):
So I am first generation American.
My parents came from Haiti afterthe Duvalier regime.
That was like the dictatorshipin Haiti.
So they came like late eighties,early nineties.
My parents, my whole family,I've been living here forever.
I lived in Spring Valley grew upin Spring Valley, went to Spring
Valley high school, graduate in2013.
(02:25):
I've just been around RockingCounty all my life.
Miguel Sanchez (02:29):
So you attended Spring Valley High School.
Yeah.
And when, around the time youwere in, in high school and your
parents being from, and yourfamily being from Haiti, At what
point did you start thinkingabout college?
Because obviously here in theUnited States, it's also a
cultural thing where, studentsstart thinking about college
(02:50):
during their sophomore, junioryear, depending of where they
are in their lives.
At what point did you startthinking, okay, college is
potentially the next step in mylife.
Dashelle Disna (03:01):
It's been ingrained in us like a whole
life.
Cause our parents, they went toThey didn't finish college when
they were in their country, soeverybody in the family had to
go to some type of continuingeducation so it's always been in
our minds, go to college, youmake more money, you don't want
to have the bare minimum, lowpaying jobs, they want your,
everybody wants their kids tolive well, so it's always
(03:21):
college in our minds.
Miguel Sanchez (03:25):
So one of the things that I hear regularly
from first generation graduates,like yourself, is my family.
They pushed me in some ways tobecome a doctor, to become a
lawyer.
Did you have a particularprofession in mind?
How did you see yourself aftercollege?
Dashelle Disna (03:49):
I don't think my family ever my, at least my
parents have never pushed me tobe a specific thing, but that's
mostly what.
they were brought up to thinkdoctors, lawyers, nurses.
Me, even though I wasn't evengood in science or math or any
of that stuff, I was like, letme just pick nursing.
No one was forcing me.
I be, I chose nursing thebeginning of freshman year and
I'm like, this is not for me.
And I became a social worker,which is way more of my thing.
Miguel Sanchez (04:14):
At what point did you change your interest?
Was this already in?
Your college career or did thatstart before?
Dashelle Disna (04:24):
It was already in my college career.
I tried to do the nursing stufffreshman year, couldn't really
grasp it.
So I just changed my majorbecause apparently social work
is a medical field, so all mycredits were transferred to for
my social work credits as well.
Miguel Sanchez (04:42):
And where did you attend college?
Dashelle Disna (04:45):
Dominican.
When I went, it was DominicanCollege, Dominican University of
New York in Bloorveld.
Miguel Sanchez (04:51):
Interestingly you are the second graduate from
Dominican University I'm happythat they've produced great
students, and so I'm glad thatthey're playing a big part of
the podcast.
And so you start in school didyou live in college?
Did you commute?
How did that look like for you?
Dashelle Disna (05:10):
I commuted because I already had a car, I
was still working part time, soI just stayed local to work and
to provide for myself,
Miguel Sanchez (05:20):
basically.
And So you're commuting, you sayyou provide for yourself.
Did you work since you startedcollege or did you work later?
How did that look like for you?
Dashelle Disna (05:30):
I worked ever since high school.
I was working at McDonald's inhigh school.
McDonald's had an educationprogram where they would, they
were giving out 800 every yearto cover, every semester to
cover books and everything elsefor the semester.
As long as you keep youraverage, a B minus or above.
So if you don't keep a B minusor above, you'd have to give
back the 800.
Miguel Sanchez (05:51):
That's interesting.
And did you have that supportthroughout college?
Actually, let me, before, beforewe go into that, let me ask you
this.
Did you learn of that benefitbefore you started working in
McDonald's or you find thisbenefit?
No, I
Dashelle Disna (06:09):
learned about it probably my sophomore year that
they had that program.
Miguel Sanchez (06:16):
And for how long did you have it?
Dashelle Disna (06:19):
I used it all the way up until my senior year.
Miguel Sanchez (06:22):
How were your parents involved in the color
selection process?
It sounds like from other peopleI've talked to, parents
generally just don't know,right?
How were your parents involvedin this process?
Dashelle Disna (06:34):
My parents were involved in this process.
We had instant decision day inhigh school.
We went through the highschools, we brought our resume,
and then you got approved orrejected during the high school.
So I know I didn't want to go toRCC.
I don't want to stay local.
So once they said, oh, you gotaccepted to Dominican, I just
followed through with that.
(06:55):
Everything just aligned.
And that time, and it was aCatholic college.
I was Catholic around that time.
So I was very involved in allthe things and everything
religious mass reading for massdid everything.
I really love the school.
Miguel Sanchez (07:10):
It saddened me for a moment when you said that
you didn't want to go to RCCbecause I went to RCC but I
understand that it was adifferent time.
Now, it sounds like the type ofschool also has something to do
with having because I know from,I know you now, again, for a
little over a year.
And I know that faith is reallyimportant for you.
So it sounds like that was a bigpart of your college decision.
(07:32):
Wasn't it?
Dashelle Disna (07:35):
was a big part.
It was a big part.
And the activities that theschools did, like we went on
alternative spring break wherewe did like Habitat for
Humanity, the school pretty muchpaid for everything.
You go on a flight toCalifornia, build some homes or
one spring break.
I went to North Carolina, tookthat drive, there was a lot of
things going on.
(07:55):
We had big brothers, big sistersfoundation.
They had meals on wheels everyFriday.
We did so much in that school.
So I wanted to just not only goto school, but be active.
Miguel Sanchez (08:07):
And these activities habitat for humanity
and the others you mentioned wasthis something that.
That was encouraged or is thissomething that you learned
during school and you pursued aspart of your education?
Dashelle Disna (08:24):
No, they were just like, Hey guys, we need
people to, there was a hurt.
One year was a hurricane thathit.
New Jersey or whatever naturaldisaster that there is or human
need They're like we're goingthis place for spring break Who
wants to give their spring breakup so we can go to this place
that place?
And I just said i'm like i'mgoing to be sitting at home
working anyway So I might aswell just use my time to make a
(08:46):
difference with a family andmake friends with other people
So I want a spring break.
I went on the alternative springbreak for three years for my
college experience
Miguel Sanchez (08:57):
And what are some of the lessons or things
you learn from thoseexperiences?
Dashelle Disna (09:04):
It was so much fun because I was very shy,
believe it or not.
So college really opened me upto public speaking, learning
other people's You know, howdisaster affect people's lives.
We learned a lot of things.
We learned how to share spaces.
Because we didn't, we weresleeping in churches, like a
church would give us a place tosleep.
We'll be sleeping on cots, bunkbeds, like 10 girls in a room,
(09:28):
one bathroom.
I remember one place didn't evenhave a bathroom.
We had to go to the YMCA to takea shower.
So we cooked every day.
A group had to cook for eachother.
We had a five minute, fivedollar.
Meal deal where our group had togo to the market and buy food
for five dollars.
We made it work We just buyspaghetti, stuff you can get for
five dollars, you know It madeus really, you know Look at like
(09:52):
certain families don't have theopportunity to just be spending
all this money on food every dayYou know it humbled us a lot In
those trips
Miguel Sanchez (10:04):
and during this trips and just to recap, and I
you gave me some places, butyou, so you went to California
at one point but what was theother, what were the other two
places you mentioned?
Dashelle Disna (10:14):
I went to as very high to New Jersey and then
I went to North Carolina.
Miguel Sanchez (10:20):
And especially at North Carolina what were some
of the things that you learnfrom these communities that you
just were shocked or wereeyeopening for you?
Dashelle Disna (10:32):
Because every community, we stayed at a
church, so it was good to seedifferent environments, like,
how different people do theirchurch.
It was really nice to see thecommunity North Carolina, I
guess because it's just asouthern thing.
Even though we're supposed to becooking every day, they cook for
us every day.
We were having mac and cheesewith graham cra like graham
crackers on top We were eatinggood food every day So you see
(10:55):
how different people, thehospitality that certain groups
have.
It was, and every trip was for adifferent purpose.
I think New Jersey was for anold elderly couple that lost
their house due to HurricaneSandy, I think.
North Carolina was just we werejust removing a roof from
someone's house, and that was anall girls trip, so no boys on
(11:16):
that trip, all girls.
And then California, Weed,California, is where they had a
devastating fire.
And so we were helping build aramp for this elderly couple,
things like that.
So every trip meant somethingdifferent especially with the
church environment.
Every church was different everycommunity was different, so it
was really
Miguel Sanchez (11:39):
One of the things that we highlight in this
podcast is and our listenershave noticed that many of our
topics surround around this ideathat in college.
You learn certain things, asubject, a career, and you also
get to meet people.
You get to build a network.
And so did your experience inHabitat for Humanity, did that
(12:03):
shape?
Your career, your interests,because I know we're gonna we're
gonna talk about the social workpiece But did that have
something to do with yourinterest?
Did that not have anything atall?
How does that play into your inyour?
Dashelle Disna (12:17):
No, I don't think it really shaped my
interest as much because socialwork was always something that I
like to do Because I would liketo help people But with Habitat
for Humanity, I was thinkingabout doing that.
Like I wanted to do that jobfull time.
Okay.
I wanted to be part ofAmeriCorps.
I wanted to go everywhere aroundthe United States and build
houses and all that stuff, putinsulation on the people's
(12:39):
homes.
That's what I wanted to do.
I should just go around theUnited States or Puerto Rico,
wherever there's a naturaldisaster and do that work.
I really wanted to do that,serve that way in that capacity.
Miguel Sanchez (12:50):
And so tell us about being a social worker.
And so what was your major?
Were you, did you major insocial work?
How does that look like for you?
Dashelle Disna (13:01):
Yes, I majored in social work with a minor in
gerontology.
Gerontology is geriatric, so Iwork with the senior population.
That was my interest.
Even though now at my workplacenow I work with different ages.
From my age to 85.
But that's what I majored in.
I took, I had a lot ofinternships at Rockin Psych,
Office for the Aging.
(13:22):
So I really enjoyed it.
Like it's one thing to learn incollege, but to have all those
experiences and knowledge wassomething that I enjoyed way
more than the learning and thewriting papers.
Miguel Sanchez (13:33):
What is, and I'm asking because in my own
work in previous work, socialworkers were everywhere we
always had to call a socialworker for help.
So tell us what is a socialworker?
Dashelle Disna (13:52):
Social workers are here to provide help.
We try to figure out, we also,we always do a bio psycho
social.
We want to know what hashappened in your life that makes
you the way that you are.
And what resources can we giveyou to alleviate those type of
things?
We look at, we try to look atthe strengths of a person
instead of their weaknesses.
(14:13):
Because we all come with trauma,we all come with certain things.
We want to know why is thisperson the way that they are?
Because it has to be somethingfrom when they're, when they
were a child.
So with those kind ofassessments, you can figure out
why this person is the way thatthey are, based on their family,
where they grew up, culture,heritage.
It's always good learning aboutthat about that with people.
Miguel Sanchez (14:35):
we talked about some of the experiences you had
on these alternative springbreaks and a little bit about
the topics you learned.
What was the hardest part ofcollege?
Generally speaking what are someof the things that, that you're
like, I don't miss this.
This was probably one of theworst experiences I've had.
Dashelle Disna (14:56):
The paperwork, because social workers, we have
to write 20 pages minimum, everypaper, that's probably the worst
thing ever to write 20 pages,double, double spaced, indented,
bibliography in alphabeticalorder.
Things that take time to do andI told you I was working.
(15:18):
I was still working part time.
I would go to school all day.
I would have off Fridays, go toschool all day, go to work from
3 to 11, wake up early to go toclass the next day.
So I'm sitting up finishingpapers, or take a day off to
spend all my nights in thelibrary, because I think around
that time, like when it's finalsweek, the libraries are open
till 3am.
And not only do we have to dothe papers, we have to present
(15:38):
the papers on a PowerPoint.
I like the presenting, because Ican talk, I like to present what
I do, 15 minutes, I'm out ofthere.
But it's the writing and doingthe assignments.
While I was working and being inclubs, trying to do a lot of
things at once.
Miguel Sanchez (15:54):
And I was just going to mention and this was,
Before ChatGPT.
And I'm impressed to hear thatyou were even involved with
different activities becausetime can be so limiting.
And so you finished school andyou did great.
How was it searching for a job?
Because now you're finishedcollege, now it's time to work.
And by work, it's in a full timejob in the things that you
(16:16):
studied for.
What was the job search for youlike?
Dashelle Disna (16:21):
I, after I finished Dominican in 2017, I
went for grad school for a year,an accelerated course.
So I finished August 2018.
I was looking for jobs, and Ifound a job, not as a social
worker, but as something else.
because I have the bachelors insocial work, and because I have,
I did all those activities, andbecause I speak another
(16:44):
language, I was, and I live inRocking County, it was, I had
better leverage to do all thistype of stuff, to get my foot in
the door, even though it may notbe the best paying thing, but
people are looking at me justbecause I did all these things,
Miguel Sanchez (16:59):
When you say all these things, you're
referring to the,
Dashelle Disna (17:02):
Like the club, like doing the clubs, the
Habitat for Humanity, all thosethings.
They only, they don't, theydidn't only just see my grades,
but like this girl is a wellrounded student, a well rounded
person.
Miguel Sanchez (17:14):
I'm glad you're bringing this up because one of
the things that we encouragelisteners, whether you're a high
school student or currently incollege, is that any activities
you're involved in speak aboutyou and what you bring to the
table beyond your grades, as youmentioned being involved in so
many different things and doingthem well to helps you be a well
(17:37):
rounded student.
And employers will look at thatas well.
That does not go unnoticed.
I want to ask you this becauseI.
I also worked in, I didn't workin a McDonald's, but I worked in
a catering company in a cafe formany years during college and
right after school.
And there's so much that Ilearned there What are some of
the lessons you learned inMcDonald's that you still
(17:59):
applying How did that look likefor you?
Dashelle Disna (18:02):
Yes.
Before I answer that too, Iworked at McDonald's.
Yes.
That was like my main job.
But I also, during collegeseasonal jobs.
I worked at Kohl's.
Or I did Black Friday up in upin Monroe at that Woodbury
Commons.
So all these things made merealize that people are just
unbelievable.
(18:22):
If you don't know how to workwith people, because people are
just going to people.
So it really taught me a lot ofthings.
You have to have thick skin,especially in my profession.
You have to have thick skin, youjust let things go over your
head.
It's not that serious.
People are angry.
Some people are angry at noteven at you.
(18:43):
It's that they're at the world.
It just teaches people, ittaught me teamwork and dealing
with people and all that stuff.
Worth ethic, budgeting, worktaught me all of that.
Working at a young age, Istarted working at 17, so almost
half my life being in aworkplace.
Miguel Sanchez (19:03):
And we applaud that here and I'm really
encouraged to hear that because,many times whether it's high
school students or collegestudents don't work for whatever
reason, it doesn't make you abad person either, but having
that, those extra experienceshelp you appreciate what you
have and help you, as you said,Build character to, that will be
(19:25):
applicable in other jobs andespecially in the work you do,
it comes in handy.
So bringing it back to yourcurrent work in social work what
are some of the things that youlove about your job?
I know you talked about a lot ofthe writing that goes into it.
What do you love about your job?
What are some of the things thatyou don't love too much?
Dashelle Disna (19:45):
I love about my job is that every day is
something different, every dayis something different with my
clients we have a good work, Ihave a great supervisor, I have
a great director, we have agreat staff, we celebrate each
other's birthdays, we have fun,we're just fun people, we help
each other out when one person'sout sick, I think Challenging is
(20:06):
sometimes because I have certainclients, we need to be, we need
to have billable notes.
So you have a client thatdoesn't want to do anything.
So then you ask them what areyou doing in this program?
Because you don't want to doanything, or you can't get in
touch with them.
For the course of a month, youcall people.
They don't answer overwhelmingclients that wants you to do 20,
000 things.
I think you're like a fairy, butthat's not how things work.
(20:27):
People don't want to do theywant you to do everything for
them, but they don't want to doanything themselves.
So those type of things and Iguess caseload too because as a
social worker, there's acaseload.
With my agency we had two peopleleave the company So I had 12
people automatically come intomy caseload this month.
Everybody got divided to morepeople So you spent all this
(20:51):
time trying to learn your peopleand now you have to learn other
people's stuff people and undoall the work that they other
people have done because theydidn't do it so That's probably
the most frustrating thing atwork Yeah, dealing with clients
that are overwhelming andundoing other people's bad work.
Miguel Sanchez (21:10):
Certainly with having these challenges of
sometimes staffing can be anissue and I hope this discussion
today encourages other peoplewho want to become social
workers to, to know that it's,you're doing great work.
It is hard meaningful work andyou're helping people and just
to, as we come to the end of ourdiscussion today, one of the
(21:33):
things that I ask regularly is.
What are some tips, or,actually, lemme put it to you
this way.
If you could, knowing what youknow now and the experiences you
have now, what would you say tothe Shell who's just graduating
high school and startingcollege?
What are some things that youwould advise yourself if you
(21:53):
could,
Dashelle Disna (21:58):
knowing what you're signing up for, make sure
that you understand whatfinancial aid is.
Don't just rush into collegejust because everybody's doing
it.
If somebody that's, if somepeople, if you need to take a
year off to work.
Before you pay for school dothat because some people need a
break You've been at school eversince you were four and now
you're 18 and now you want to goto more school Like there's no
(22:21):
rush to do things all in About20 years because that was the
thing for me.
I'm like, I want to finishschool when i'm 22 I just want
to finish school.
I just want to finish because Iknow I am i'm gonna be lazy And
also, you know find workingopportunities and I worked one
day for five hours I had workstudying in the college.
So I was working in the collegefor five hours out of my day,
(22:41):
too.
So I did everything.
So get involved, go to thelibrary because they charge you
that for your tuition, go to thelibrary make friends, network,
because a lot of places now whatyou know is who you know, so
network.
Because I'm pretty cool with myhigh school professors, college
(23:02):
professors, still, we stilltalk.
I make college friends.
I still talk to my collegefriends who have graduated in
the same cohort.
Make friends.
Don't just be book smart and, goto school and just book, read
books all the time and pass.
Get involved, be book smart, bein community, enjoy the college
life,
Miguel Sanchez (23:20):
there's a few things that I want to highlight
because you're checking off manyof the things we mentioned in
previous episodes and I'm gladthat it, that you are saying
this because it just reinforcesthis idea that one and I've
heard this this quote fromPastor Sal from Gracepoint
Church, he would say youngpeople at a very young age have
(23:42):
to make these decisions that aregoing to have a long lasting
impact and one of them iscollege.
As you said, if it's okay tomaybe take a break, save some
money, understand how college isan investment, because that's
what it is.
And that may.
Required understanding financialaid process and if you're in
high school, make sure you talkto your guidance counselor about
(24:02):
that.
And then the other thing youmentioned that it's key.
Network.
It's huge.
As you said, the shell, it's notso much.
It has a lot to do with what youknow, but it's equally important
to have a strong network andknowing people is going to help
you to those opportunities.
So I'm glad you brought this upand I'm sure you, you've taken
(24:24):
advantage of those, of thatadvice yourself.
And so what are some otherthings that you would like to
share?
With the audience, some thingsthat maybe we haven't covered
that you believe will reallymake an impact as people make
choices of a college or evenjust a career.
Dashelle Disna (24:39):
Create a LinkedIn profile, professional
headshot, nice and clean.
Add all, everybody that youknow, add things that you're
interested in, talk to people,message people on LinkedIn
social media, because socialmedia wasn't really a big thing
when I was in high school andcollege, but now, always be
(24:59):
mindful of what you post onsocial media, don't talk about
jobs that you hate, don't talkabout hateful stuff, don't post
Weird pictures have some cleansocial media things as well.
And don't knock the vocationalschools either, If you just want
to go to a vocational school,there's BOCES.
There's so many things that wehave out here that just focus
(25:23):
strictly on that too, it may notbe college don't go to college
because your parents told youto, if you don't have the money,
look at stuff that you want todo, get your side hustles going.
Miguel Sanchez (25:35):
Yeah.
And that's important.
One of the things that I say tomyself that we're sidetracking a
little bit, but I want to make apoint One of the, one of the
things that, that I, as I thinkabout my son, who still has many
years before he even startsthinking about college, but one
of the things that And I thinkabout regularly is, he has to
(25:55):
work during school because I'mnot paying for all this stuff.
And one of the things Regularlyis well, what can he do?
What should he learn now to havea way to support himself?
and having that, mentality ofhard work of like you just being
aware, little things here andthere add up.
So I'm glad you're bringing thisup that, figure out ways that
(26:16):
you can.
Get money to work to supportyourself so you don't have all
this debt at the end of the, ofthis process Another thing that
you mentioned that I think isimportant is community.
It's so important to buildcommunity.
And as I said in the beginning,I met you in church and we still
attend the same church andbuilding community is really
(26:37):
important because, There'scertain things that are going to
be challenging and you want tomake sure that you can plug in
with people to talk about yoursituations, your issues so that
you don't go about this alone.
I had great fun with thisconversation.
That being said, thank you verymuch for your time.
I appreciate your experiences.
I'm going to have you back inthe future to talk more about
(27:00):
your experiences in Habitat forHumanity, because I think it's
really important for for peopleto hear how amazing that work
can be.
So Dachelle, thank you verymuch.
Dashelle Disna (27:10):
Thank you.
Social workers are here to provide help.
(00:03):
We want to know what hashappened in your life that makes
you the way that you are, andwhat resources can we give you
to alleviate those type ofthings we look at.
We try to look at the strengthsof a person instead of their
weaknesses.
'cause we all come with trauma.
We all, we all come with certainthings.
We want to know why is thisperson the way that they are.
So with those kind ofassessments, you can figure out
(00:23):
why this person is the way, theway that they are based on their
family, where they grew up.
Culture, heritage, it's alwaysgood learning about that, about
that with people Don't just rushinto college just because
everybody's doing it.
If somebody, that's, if somepeople, if you need to take a
year off to work before you payfor school, do that because some
(00:46):
people need a break.
You've been in school ever sinceyou were four and now you are 18
and now you wanna go to moreschool.
Like there's no rush.
Miguel Sanchez (00:57):
Welcome everyone to another episode of
the First Gen 101 podcast.
Today I have Dachelle Disna.
Dachelle, thank you for joiningme today.
Dashelle Disna (01:07):
Thank you.
Happy to be here.
Miguel Sanchez (01:10):
Dachelle, we've known each other now for just
about a year or more.
We attend the same church,CrossLife Church in Thiells, New
York, and you've been ablessing.
You've been helping out with theworship team, with the social
media team as well.
So you've been really involvedand we are, we're happy to have
(01:32):
you at CrossLife.
And Recently we've talked aboutthe podcast and, the sort of
what we're looking for and theintent with this.
And we were just talking aboutthis a moment ago of how this
has been really helpful to, notonly students, but to guidance
counselors, helping them, have aresource for their students.
(01:54):
And we're going to start offwith, can you share about your
background and where did youlive during your high school
years?
Dashelle Disna (02:04):
So I am first generation American.
My parents came from Haiti afterthe Duvalier regime.
That was like the dictatorshipin Haiti.
So they came like late eighties,early nineties.
My parents, my whole family,I've been living here forever.
I lived in Spring Valley grew upin Spring Valley, went to Spring
Valley high school, graduate in2013.
(02:25):
I've just been around RockingCounty all my life.
Miguel Sanchez (02:29):
So you attended Spring Valley High School.
Yeah.
And when, around the time youwere in, in high school and your
parents being from, and yourfamily being from Haiti, At what
point did you start thinkingabout college?
Because obviously here in theUnited States, it's also a
cultural thing where, studentsstart thinking about college
(02:50):
during their sophomore, junioryear, depending of where they
are in their lives.
At what point did you startthinking, okay, college is
potentially the next step in mylife.
Dashelle Disna (03:01):
It's been ingrained in us like a whole
life.
Cause our parents, they went toThey didn't finish college when
they were in their country, soeverybody in the family had to
go to some type of continuingeducation so it's always been in
our minds, go to college, youmake more money, you don't want
to have the bare minimum, lowpaying jobs, they want your,
everybody wants their kids tolive well, so it's always
(03:21):
college in our minds.
Miguel Sanchez (03:25):
So one of the things that I hear regularly
from first generation graduates,like yourself, is my family.
They pushed me in some ways tobecome a doctor, to become a
lawyer.
Did you have a particularprofession in mind?
How did you see yourself aftercollege?
Dashelle Disna (03:49):
I don't think my family ever my, at least my
parents have never pushed me tobe a specific thing, but that's
mostly what.
they were brought up to thinkdoctors, lawyers, nurses.
Me, even though I wasn't evengood in science or math or any
of that stuff, I was like, letme just pick nursing.
No one was forcing me.
I be, I chose nursing thebeginning of freshman year and
I'm like, this is not for me.
And I became a social worker,which is way more of my thing.
Miguel Sanchez (04:14):
At what point did you change your interest?
Was this already in?
Your college career or did thatstart before?
Dashelle Disna (04:24):
It was already in my college career.
I tried to do the nursing stufffreshman year, couldn't really
grasp it.
So I just changed my majorbecause apparently social work
is a medical field, so all mycredits were transferred to for
my social work credits as well.
Miguel Sanchez (04:42):
And where did you attend college?
Dashelle Disna (04:45):
Dominican.
When I went, it was DominicanCollege, Dominican University of
New York in Bloorveld.
Miguel Sanchez (04:51):
Interestingly you are the second graduate from
Dominican University I'm happythat they've produced great
students, and so I'm glad thatthey're playing a big part of
the podcast.
And so you start in school didyou live in college?
Did you commute?
How did that look like for you?
Dashelle Disna (05:10):
I commuted because I already had a car, I
was still working part time, soI just stayed local to work and
to provide for myself,
Miguel Sanchez (05:20):
basically.
And So you're commuting, you sayyou provide for yourself.
Did you work since you startedcollege or did you work later?
How did that look like for you?
Dashelle Disna (05:30):
I worked ever since high school.
I was working at McDonald's inhigh school.
McDonald's had an educationprogram where they would, they
were giving out 800 every yearto cover, every semester to
cover books and everything elsefor the semester.
As long as you keep youraverage, a B minus or above.
So if you don't keep a B minusor above, you'd have to give
back the 800.
Miguel Sanchez (05:51):
That's interesting.
And did you have that supportthroughout college?
Actually, let me, before, beforewe go into that, let me ask you
this.
Did you learn of that benefitbefore you started working in
McDonald's or you find thisbenefit?
No, I
Dashelle Disna (06:09):
learned about it probably my sophomore year that
they had that program.
Miguel Sanchez (06:16):
And for how long did you have it?
Dashelle Disna (06:19):
I used it all the way up until my senior year.
Miguel Sanchez (06:22):
How were your parents involved in the color
selection process?
It sounds like from other peopleI've talked to, parents
generally just don't know,right?
How were your parents involvedin this process?
Dashelle Disna (06:34):
My parents were involved in this process.
We had instant decision day inhigh school.
We went through the highschools, we brought our resume,
and then you got approved orrejected during the high school.
So I know I didn't want to go toRCC.
I don't want to stay local.
So once they said, oh, you gotaccepted to Dominican, I just
followed through with that.
(06:55):
Everything just aligned.
And that time, and it was aCatholic college.
I was Catholic around that time.
So I was very involved in allthe things and everything
religious mass reading for massdid everything.
I really love the school.
Miguel Sanchez (07:10):
It saddened me for a moment when you said that
you didn't want to go to RCCbecause I went to RCC but I
understand that it was adifferent time.
Now, it sounds like the type ofschool also has something to do
with having because I know from,I know you now, again, for a
little over a year.
And I know that faith is reallyimportant for you.
So it sounds like that was a bigpart of your college decision.
(07:32):
Wasn't it?
Dashelle Disna (07:35):
was a big part.
It was a big part.
And the activities that theschools did, like we went on
alternative spring break wherewe did like Habitat for
Humanity, the school pretty muchpaid for everything.
You go on a flight toCalifornia, build some homes or
one spring break.
I went to North Carolina, tookthat drive, there was a lot of
things going on.
(07:55):
We had big brothers, big sistersfoundation.
They had meals on wheels everyFriday.
We did so much in that school.
So I wanted to just not only goto school, but be active.
Miguel Sanchez (08:07):
And these activities habitat for humanity
and the others you mentioned wasthis something that.
That was encouraged or is thissomething that you learned
during school and you pursued aspart of your education?
Dashelle Disna (08:24):
No, they were just like, Hey guys, we need
people to, there was a hurt.
One year was a hurricane thathit.
New Jersey or whatever naturaldisaster that there is or human
need They're like we're goingthis place for spring break Who
wants to give their spring breakup so we can go to this place
that place?
And I just said i'm like i'mgoing to be sitting at home
working anyway So I might aswell just use my time to make a
(08:46):
difference with a family andmake friends with other people
So I want a spring break.
I went on the alternative springbreak for three years for my
college experience
Miguel Sanchez (08:57):
And what are some of the lessons or things
you learn from thoseexperiences?
Dashelle Disna (09:04):
It was so much fun because I was very shy,
believe it or not.
So college really opened me upto public speaking, learning
other people's You know, howdisaster affect people's lives.
We learned a lot of things.
We learned how to share spaces.
Because we didn't, we weresleeping in churches, like a
church would give us a place tosleep.
We'll be sleeping on cots, bunkbeds, like 10 girls in a room,
(09:28):
one bathroom.
I remember one place didn't evenhave a bathroom.
We had to go to the YMCA to takea shower.
So we cooked every day.
A group had to cook for eachother.
We had a five minute, fivedollar.
Meal deal where our group had togo to the market and buy food
for five dollars.
We made it work We just buyspaghetti, stuff you can get for
five dollars, you know It madeus really, you know Look at like
(09:52):
certain families don't have theopportunity to just be spending
all this money on food every dayYou know it humbled us a lot In
those trips
Miguel Sanchez (10:04):
and during this trips and just to recap, and I
you gave me some places, butyou, so you went to California
at one point but what was theother, what were the other two
places you mentioned?
Dashelle Disna (10:14):
I went to as very high to New Jersey and then
I went to North Carolina.
Miguel Sanchez (10:20):
And especially at North Carolina what were some
of the things that you learnfrom these communities that you
just were shocked or wereeyeopening for you?
Dashelle Disna (10:32):
Because every community, we stayed at a
church, so it was good to seedifferent environments, like,
how different people do theirchurch.
It was really nice to see thecommunity North Carolina, I
guess because it's just asouthern thing.
Even though we're supposed to becooking every day, they cook for
us every day.
We were having mac and cheesewith graham cra like graham
crackers on top We were eatinggood food every day So you see
(10:55):
how different people, thehospitality that certain groups
have.
It was, and every trip was for adifferent purpose.
I think New Jersey was for anold elderly couple that lost
their house due to HurricaneSandy, I think.
North Carolina was just we werejust removing a roof from
someone's house, and that was anall girls trip, so no boys on
(11:16):
that trip, all girls.
And then California, Weed,California, is where they had a
devastating fire.
And so we were helping build aramp for this elderly couple,
things like that.
So every trip meant somethingdifferent especially with the
church environment.
Every church was different everycommunity was different, so it
was really
Miguel Sanchez (11:39):
One of the things that we highlight in this
podcast is and our listenershave noticed that many of our
topics surround around this ideathat in college.
You learn certain things, asubject, a career, and you also
get to meet people.
You get to build a network.
And so did your experience inHabitat for Humanity, did that
(12:03):
shape?
Your career, your interests,because I know we're gonna we're
gonna talk about the social workpiece But did that have
something to do with yourinterest?
Did that not have anything atall?
How does that play into your inyour?
Dashelle Disna (12:17):
No, I don't think it really shaped my
interest as much because socialwork was always something that I
like to do Because I would liketo help people But with Habitat
for Humanity, I was thinkingabout doing that.
Like I wanted to do that jobfull time.
Okay.
I wanted to be part ofAmeriCorps.
I wanted to go everywhere aroundthe United States and build
houses and all that stuff, putinsulation on the people's
(12:39):
homes.
That's what I wanted to do.
I should just go around theUnited States or Puerto Rico,
wherever there's a naturaldisaster and do that work.
I really wanted to do that,serve that way in that capacity.
Miguel Sanchez (12:50):
And so tell us about being a social worker.
And so what was your major?
Were you, did you major insocial work?
How does that look like for you?
Dashelle Disna (13:01):
Yes, I majored in social work with a minor in
gerontology.
Gerontology is geriatric, so Iwork with the senior population.
That was my interest.
Even though now at my workplacenow I work with different ages.
From my age to 85.
But that's what I majored in.
I took, I had a lot ofinternships at Rockin Psych,
Office for the Aging.
(13:22):
So I really enjoyed it.
Like it's one thing to learn incollege, but to have all those
experiences and knowledge wassomething that I enjoyed way
more than the learning and thewriting papers.
Miguel Sanchez (13:33):
What is, and I'm asking because in my own
work in previous work, socialworkers were everywhere we
always had to call a socialworker for help.
So tell us what is a socialworker?
Dashelle Disna (13:52):
Social workers are here to provide help.
We try to figure out, we also,we always do a bio psycho
social.
We want to know what hashappened in your life that makes
you the way that you are.
And what resources can we giveyou to alleviate those type of
things?
We look at, we try to look atthe strengths of a person
instead of their weaknesses.
(14:13):
Because we all come with trauma,we all come with certain things.
We want to know why is thisperson the way that they are?
Because it has to be somethingfrom when they're, when they
were a child.
So with those kind ofassessments, you can figure out
why this person is the way thatthey are, based on their family,
where they grew up, culture,heritage.
It's always good learning aboutthat about that with people.
Miguel Sanchez (14:35):
we talked about some of the experiences you had
on these alternative springbreaks and a little bit about
the topics you learned.
What was the hardest part ofcollege?
Generally speaking what are someof the things that, that you're
like, I don't miss this.
This was probably one of theworst experiences I've had.
Dashelle Disna (14:56):
The paperwork, because social workers, we have
to write 20 pages minimum, everypaper, that's probably the worst
thing ever to write 20 pages,double, double spaced, indented,
bibliography in alphabeticalorder.
Things that take time to do andI told you I was working.
(15:18):
I was still working part time.
I would go to school all day.
I would have off Fridays, go toschool all day, go to work from
3 to 11, wake up early to go toclass the next day.
So I'm sitting up finishingpapers, or take a day off to
spend all my nights in thelibrary, because I think around
that time, like when it's finalsweek, the libraries are open
till 3am.
And not only do we have to dothe papers, we have to present
(15:38):
the papers on a PowerPoint.
I like the presenting, because Ican talk, I like to present what
I do, 15 minutes, I'm out ofthere.
But it's the writing and doingthe assignments.
While I was working and being inclubs, trying to do a lot of
things at once.
Miguel Sanchez (15:54):
And I was just going to mention and this was,
Before ChatGPT.
And I'm impressed to hear thatyou were even involved with
different activities becausetime can be so limiting.
And so you finished school andyou did great.
How was it searching for a job?
Because now you're finishedcollege, now it's time to work.
And by work, it's in a full timejob in the things that you
(16:16):
studied for.
What was the job search for youlike?
Dashelle Disna (16:21):
I, after I finished Dominican in 2017, I
went for grad school for a year,an accelerated course.
So I finished August 2018.
I was looking for jobs, and Ifound a job, not as a social
worker, but as something else.
because I have the bachelors insocial work, and because I have,
I did all those activities, andbecause I speak another
(16:44):
language, I was, and I live inRocking County, it was, I had
better leverage to do all thistype of stuff, to get my foot in
the door, even though it may notbe the best paying thing, but
people are looking at me justbecause I did all these things,
Miguel Sanchez (16:59):
When you say all these things, you're
referring to the,
Dashelle Disna (17:02):
Like the club, like doing the clubs, the
Habitat for Humanity, all thosethings.
They only, they don't, theydidn't only just see my grades,
but like this girl is a wellrounded student, a well rounded
person.
Miguel Sanchez (17:14):
I'm glad you're bringing this up because one of
the things that we encouragelisteners, whether you're a high
school student or currently incollege, is that any activities
you're involved in speak aboutyou and what you bring to the
table beyond your grades, as youmentioned being involved in so
many different things and doingthem well to helps you be a well
(17:37):
rounded student.
And employers will look at thatas well.
That does not go unnoticed.
I want to ask you this becauseI.
I also worked in, I didn't workin a McDonald's, but I worked in
a catering company in a cafe formany years during college and
right after school.
And there's so much that Ilearned there What are some of
the lessons you learned inMcDonald's that you still
(17:59):
applying How did that look likefor you?
Dashelle Disna (18:02):
Yes.
Before I answer that too, Iworked at McDonald's.
Yes.
That was like my main job.
But I also, during collegeseasonal jobs.
I worked at Kohl's.
Or I did Black Friday up in upin Monroe at that Woodbury
Commons.
So all these things made merealize that people are just
unbelievable.
(18:22):
If you don't know how to workwith people, because people are
just going to people.
So it really taught me a lot ofthings.
You have to have thick skin,especially in my profession.
You have to have thick skin, youjust let things go over your
head.
It's not that serious.
People are angry.
Some people are angry at noteven at you.
(18:43):
It's that they're at the world.
It just teaches people, ittaught me teamwork and dealing
with people and all that stuff.
Worth ethic, budgeting, worktaught me all of that.
Working at a young age, Istarted working at 17, so almost
half my life being in aworkplace.
Miguel Sanchez (19:03):
And we applaud that here and I'm really
encouraged to hear that because,many times whether it's high
school students or collegestudents don't work for whatever
reason, it doesn't make you abad person either, but having
that, those extra experienceshelp you appreciate what you
have and help you, as you said,Build character to, that will be
(19:25):
applicable in other jobs andespecially in the work you do,
it comes in handy.
So bringing it back to yourcurrent work in social work what
are some of the things that youlove about your job?
I know you talked about a lot ofthe writing that goes into it.
What do you love about your job?
What are some of the things thatyou don't love too much?
Dashelle Disna (19:45):
I love about my job is that every day is
something different, every dayis something different with my
clients we have a good work, Ihave a great supervisor, I have
a great director, we have agreat staff, we celebrate each
other's birthdays, we have fun,we're just fun people, we help
each other out when one person'sout sick, I think Challenging is
(20:06):
sometimes because I have certainclients, we need to be, we need
to have billable notes.
So you have a client thatdoesn't want to do anything.
So then you ask them what areyou doing in this program?
Because you don't want to doanything, or you can't get in
touch with them.
For the course of a month, youcall people.
They don't answer overwhelmingclients that wants you to do 20,
000 things.
I think you're like a fairy, butthat's not how things work.
(20:27):
People don't want to do theywant you to do everything for
them, but they don't want to doanything themselves.
So those type of things and Iguess caseload too because as a
social worker, there's acaseload.
With my agency we had two peopleleave the company So I had 12
people automatically come intomy caseload this month.
Everybody got divided to morepeople So you spent all this
(20:51):
time trying to learn your peopleand now you have to learn other
people's stuff people and undoall the work that they other
people have done because theydidn't do it so That's probably
the most frustrating thing atwork Yeah, dealing with clients
that are overwhelming andundoing other people's bad work.
Miguel Sanchez (21:10):
Certainly with having these challenges of
sometimes staffing can be anissue and I hope this discussion
today encourages other peoplewho want to become social
workers to, to know that it's,you're doing great work.
It is hard meaningful work andyou're helping people and just
to, as we come to the end of ourdiscussion today, one of the
(21:33):
things that I ask regularly is.
What are some tips, or,actually, lemme put it to you
this way.
If you could, knowing what youknow now and the experiences you
have now, what would you say tothe Shell who's just graduating
high school and startingcollege?
What are some things that youwould advise yourself if you
(21:53):
could,
Dashelle Disna (21:58):
knowing what you're signing up for, make sure
that you understand whatfinancial aid is.
Don't just rush into collegejust because everybody's doing
it.
If somebody that's, if somepeople, if you need to take a
year off to work.
Before you pay for school dothat because some people need a
break You've been at school eversince you were four and now
you're 18 and now you want to goto more school Like there's no
(22:21):
rush to do things all in About20 years because that was the
thing for me.
I'm like, I want to finishschool when i'm 22 I just want
to finish school.
I just want to finish because Iknow I am i'm gonna be lazy And
also, you know find workingopportunities and I worked one
day for five hours I had workstudying in the college.
So I was working in the collegefor five hours out of my day,
(22:41):
too.
So I did everything.
So get involved, go to thelibrary because they charge you
that for your tuition, go to thelibrary make friends, network,
because a lot of places now whatyou know is who you know, so
network.
Because I'm pretty cool with myhigh school professors, college
(23:02):
professors, still, we stilltalk.
I make college friends.
I still talk to my collegefriends who have graduated in
the same cohort.
Make friends.
Don't just be book smart and, goto school and just book, read
books all the time and pass.
Get involved, be book smart, bein community, enjoy the college
life,
Miguel Sanchez (23:20):
there's a few things that I want to highlight
because you're checking off manyof the things we mentioned in
previous episodes and I'm gladthat it, that you are saying
this because it just reinforcesthis idea that one and I've
heard this this quote fromPastor Sal from Gracepoint
Church, he would say youngpeople at a very young age have
(23:42):
to make these decisions that aregoing to have a long lasting
impact and one of them iscollege.
As you said, if it's okay tomaybe take a break, save some
money, understand how college isan investment, because that's
what it is.
And that may.
Required understanding financialaid process and if you're in
high school, make sure you talkto your guidance counselor about
(24:02):
that.
And then the other thing youmentioned that it's key.
Network.
It's huge.
As you said, the shell, it's notso much.
It has a lot to do with what youknow, but it's equally important
to have a strong network andknowing people is going to help
you to those opportunities.
So I'm glad you brought this upand I'm sure you, you've taken
(24:24):
advantage of those, of thatadvice yourself.
And so what are some otherthings that you would like to
share?
With the audience, some thingsthat maybe we haven't covered
that you believe will reallymake an impact as people make
choices of a college or evenjust a career.
Dashelle Disna (24:39):
Create a LinkedIn profile, professional
headshot, nice and clean.
Add all, everybody that youknow, add things that you're
interested in, talk to people,message people on LinkedIn
social media, because socialmedia wasn't really a big thing
when I was in high school andcollege, but now, always be
(24:59):
mindful of what you post onsocial media, don't talk about
jobs that you hate, don't talkabout hateful stuff, don't post
Weird pictures have some cleansocial media things as well.
And don't knock the vocationalschools either, If you just want
to go to a vocational school,there's BOCES.
There's so many things that wehave out here that just focus
(25:23):
strictly on that too, it may notbe college don't go to college
because your parents told youto, if you don't have the money,
look at stuff that you want todo, get your side hustles going.
Miguel Sanchez (25:35):
Yeah.
And that's important.
One of the things that I say tomyself that we're sidetracking a
little bit, but I want to make apoint One of the, one of the
things that, that I, as I thinkabout my son, who still has many
years before he even startsthinking about college, but one
of the things that And I thinkabout regularly is, he has to
(25:55):
work during school because I'mnot paying for all this stuff.
And one of the things Regularlyis well, what can he do?
What should he learn now to havea way to support himself?
and having that, mentality ofhard work of like you just being
aware, little things here andthere add up.
So I'm glad you're bringing thisup that, figure out ways that
(26:16):
you can.
Get money to work to supportyourself so you don't have all
this debt at the end of the, ofthis process Another thing that
you mentioned that I think isimportant is community.
It's so important to buildcommunity.
And as I said in the beginning,I met you in church and we still
attend the same church andbuilding community is really
(26:37):
important because, There'scertain things that are going to
be challenging and you want tomake sure that you can plug in
with people to talk about yoursituations, your issues so that
you don't go about this alone.
I had great fun with thisconversation.
That being said, thank you verymuch for your time.
I appreciate your experiences.
I'm going to have you back inthe future to talk more about
(27:00):
your experiences in Habitat forHumanity, because I think it's
really important for for peopleto hear how amazing that work
can be.
So Dachelle, thank you verymuch.
Dashelle Disna (27:10):
Thank you.
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