First to Go, First to Grow - One Latina Counselor's Journey Through Culture, College, and Courage

In this powerful episode of our Transfer Basics Series, Sandra, now a professor and counselor, shares her journey from breaking cultural norms to earning a master’s degree and creating spaces for Latino students through Puente and the Raza Center. Her story proves that being the first isn’t easy, but it opens doors for everyone who comes after.

After graduating from Chico State, Sandra returned to Sacramento to work as a social worker. She quickly realized that her dream career in counseling would require a master’s degree, a fact she hadn’t known as an undergrad.

With new mentors to guide her, she applied to graduate school and earned her master’s in psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from the University of San Francisco. After a decade in mental health, she transitioned into higher education, where she now helps students navigate many of the same challenges she once faced.

Sandra closes with a heartfelt message: “Study what you love. The career will come, I promise.”

Her journey is a shining example of what it means to honor your roots, push through resistance, and rise with purpose. It’s a story of family, determination, identity, and the quiet power of choosing your own path, even when others don’t yet understand it.

Sandra’s story is not just about her, it’s about all the students quietly carrying the weight of “being the first.” Her experiences reflect the hidden strength of countless young people navigating college, career, and cultural expectations.

Her courage gave her sister a smoother path. Her persistence gives her students clarity. And her success proves what’s possible when first-generation students are supported, seen, and encouraged to lead with love and ambition.

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