“Mija/o, si quieres un vida buena tienes qué trabajar, trabajar, trabajar!”
You’ve heard that one before, right? For Latinas and POC who are first-generation students or professionals, it’s a common expectation to go straight into the workforce or to constantly be in “survival mode.” Parents of this generation likely had to cross borders and live in a world of hustle. But, what about pursuing your interest and thriving?
No te preocupes, we got your back with 3 top tips on how to overcome barriers to professional success for first-generation students.
1. Network
Trying to find industry professionals to network can feel like a daunting and scary thing. It’s like dating for the first time. Who asks who out, what do you say, how do you ask for a second date, etc. You may feel you’re already behind because others already have a professional network in their dream industry, como through family ties, so you have to work harder to build your own network, pero, think about it this way: you WILL build so much character and strength and gain so much resilience from this skill that will help you throughout your entire career trajectory.
If it isn’t already, LinkedIn is going to be your bestie. Look for people who are currently in your dream job, in the industry you want to work in, or local organizations/companies that can help you get there. You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of people who will take the time to talk to you about your journey. Chances are, they are paying it forward like someone else had done for them when they were starting off. (And FYI, people looove to talk about themselves.) You’ll want to ask questions like:
- What does a typical day of work look like?
- How did your academic experience prepare you for this job?
- What jobs did you take on to get to your position?
- What’s your favorite part of your job?
- What skills would have prepared you better for this role?
- What are some of the questions you wish you would have asked prior to starting here?
- What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
DON’T get discouraged if they take forever to reply. They are likely very busy. Branch out and reach out to mas personas to get as much info as you can.
2. Experience over degrees will always win!
Find your path, babe. It’s like that saying, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Try out different internships and volunteer with an organization that has a mission aligned with the values of a company/org you want to get into. Hopefully, you’ll land a paid internship. As much as unpaid internships should not be a thing, they are. (And some might even be illegal.)
Here’s some real talk on unpaid internships. Financially, not everyone can take on an unpaid internship. Students with higher household income have the advantage of being able to work for free. Mija, before saying no to an unpaid, which if you do we totes respect and understand, try to see if you can possibly make it work.
Don’t give into the whole “you’re being paid in experience.” While you can gain invaluable experience, remember your self -worth and that you are contributing in a unique way. Employers hire you because you have something they don’t have, whether it be expertise, energy, or new perspectives. This being said, remember these pointers to surviving an unpaid internship:
- Negotiate basic expenses like lunch and travel.
- Push for a stable work schedule so that you can have a part-time job.
- Bring lunch to work to keep costs low.
- Get your money’s worth. Soak up as much info as possible. Create as many professional relationships as you can and make sure they know your name.
Just think of it as an investment into yourself. Plus, if you’re offered a job at the end you can begin to make up for any financial loss.
(Check out “4 Tips on How to Negotiate Salary, Know Your Worth Amigx!”)
3. Self Care
Sabes qué hustle culture can be toxic? Girl, we are all for hustling to reach your dreams. Hell, we even encourage it! But not to a point where you are too mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted to be good for yourself or to anyone else. Everyone has a finite amount of energy, so recuerdas to spend it well. I know what you may be thinking: I don’t have time for self care. No honey, you’re just not making time. YOU are important and worthy of care. Use a planner or a whiteboard or algo mas to schedule your time. Es muy importante to make realistic goals and deadlines. You’ll be more likely to stay on track with your tasks.
Like our amiga y founder of Life of Leisure Luz Cadena said, “We need to shift from a state of surviving to a state of thriving.”
Es como Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Picture it as a pyramid with the lowest levels being the most basic to the higher levels as the most complex. Our parents often live in the first two levels, Physiological (comida y agua) and Safety (a home), but what about self-esteem and self-actualization? Mija, don’t settle for less, make your sueño un realidad.
by Valerie Palacios
November 2, 2020
Photo by Unsplash
