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Mentorship and Growth: A Lawyer's Journey with Tyler Rutherford

In this episode of the First Gen 101 Podcast, host Miguel welcomes Tyler Rutherford, a first-generation lawyer. Tyler shares his journey from a small town in Texas to becoming a corporate lawyer in New York. He discusses his educational background, the challenges of law school, and the importance of building a strong support network. Tyler also touches on financial planning, mentorship, and maintaining a work-life balance. This insightful conversation is a must-watch for aspiring first-generation law students and anyone interested in the legal profession.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:17 Tyler's Background and Early Life
04:23 Deciding to Pursue Law
06:59 Choosing Pace Law School
08:38 Transition to New York and Law School Challenges
12:48 Building a Support Network
16:54 Mentorship and Career Path
24:29 Advice for Aspiring Law Students
28:58 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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Overcoming Debt and Building a Future with Edward Disi

Join us on the First Gen 101 podcast as we speak with Edward Disi, a Nigerian immigrant and college graduate with over 20 years in the software industry, who now empowers others through financial coaching at CLY Coaching. In this episode, Edward shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to the US, his career progression in technology, and how he developed a passion for personal finance. Learn how family, community, and faith have shaped his path, and gain valuable insights into achieving financial clarity and building a legacy for future generations. Don't miss this deep dive into success, technology, and financial stewardship!

CLY Coaching: https://www.clycoaching.com/

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:35 Edward's Early Life and Journey to the US

03:28 Career Beginnings in the Software Industry

07:04 Transition to Personal Finance

13:05 Founding of CLY Coaching

17:45 Financial Clarity and Legacy Building

22:29 Challenges and Barriers in Financial Education

25:39 Conclusion and Contact Information

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🎙️ New Episode of First Gen 101!

In this inspiring episode, host Miguel sits down with Cesar Margarito, a proud first-generation college graduate and advocate for educational equity. Cesar opens up about his journey from his roots as an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, to navigating the U.S. education system and launching Fly Socks—a creative venture that funds scholarships for first-generation students through the sale of stylish socks.

From working at Staples after graduation to discovering his passion for educational outreach and now pursuing a doctoral degree, Cesar’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, purpose, and the importance of giving back.

Tune in as we explore themes of mentorship, community, and the first-gen experience—and learn how one student’s journey can spark change for many others.

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In this episode of the First Gen 101 podcast, host Miguel welcomes guest Jacquie Carroll. Jacquie shares her inspiring journey from being the daughter of immigrants and a restaurant business owner to becoming a doctoral graduate. She dives into the challenges of navigating the education system as a first-generation student, the importance of mentorship, and the skills needed to learn effectively. Jacquie also offers financial strategies for managing educational costs and building a successful career. 

Now, with a rich background in higher education, instructional design, and student success, her passion for making education engaging and effective has led her to create GameKraft. Jacquie is committed to bringing her expertise full circle by integrating fun and learning, ensuring that students not only succeed but thrive in their educational journeys.

GameKraft Website: https://www.gamekraft.us/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:27 How We Met: A Financial Aid Conference

01:26 First Generation Story

02:35 Navigating Education as a First Gen Student

02:56 Balancing Family and Education

05:56 Learning to Learn: Study Skills and Time Management

12:09 Challenges Faced by First Gen Students

15:30 Financial Hacks for First Gen Students

16:55 Networking and Co-Curricular Opportunities

17:05 Leveraging Dual Credit and Demonstrating Mastery

17:40 Non-Traditional Student Hacks

03:08 Work-Study and Leveraging Scholarships

20:09 Tuition Assistance Programs

22:41 The Importance of Mentorship

25:40 Finding Your First Job

28:26 Biggest Achievement and New Ventures

30:30 Promoting Learning Through Games

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Navigating College and Career as a First-Generation Student: Sarah Smyth’s Journey

In this episode of the First Gen 101 Podcast, we dive deep with Sarah Smyth, a certified social worker and program director for Trio Student Support Services at St. Peter's University. Sarah shares her inspiring journey from being a first-generation college student to becoming a business owner. She emphasizes the importance of social capital, mentorship, and finding one's purpose in academic and professional settings. Sarah also offers valuable insights into the financial, personal, and academic challenges faced by first-generation students and highlights the crucial role of community colleges and institutional support programs. Tune in to learn about the power of storytelling, building genuine connections, and navigating the complexities of college life and beyond.

Learn more about E. Smyth& Co. Consulting by contacting: [email protected]. 

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In this episode of the First Gen 101 podcast, host Miguel Sanchez chats with Nick Moustakas, a recent graduate of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. They delve into Nick's transformative journey through law school, from initial doubts and challenges to successful bar exam preparation. Nick shares his insights on what sparked his interest in law, the importance of mentorship, and how he overcame the stresses of studying and the bar exam. This episode is a must-listen for prospective law students and anyone interested in the personal and professional growth that comes with a legal education.

00:00 Introduction: The Law School Transformation

00:36 Guest Introduction: Meet Nick Moustakas

00:48 Post-Graduation Reflections

01:37 The Spark: Why Law?

03:02 College Journey and Decisions

05:59 Parental Support and High School Challenges

07:25 Guidance Counselor's Impact

11:33 Law School Preparation: The LSAT Challenge

14:09 Orientation and First Impressions

18:00 Navigating the First Semester

19:36 Deciding to Stay in Law School

19:57 Communicating Doubts to Family

21:16 Finding a Groove in 2L Year

24:08 Choosing a Law Specialization

26:02 Importance of Mentorship

29:06 Bar Exam Preparation

32:37 Reflecting on Law School Experience

40:04 Future Aspirations

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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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🎧 Ever wondered what it's like to navigate law school as a first-gen student? Join us on the latest episode of "First Gen 101" as Jonathan Campozano shares his personal experiences and tips for future law students. Don’t miss it! ⚖️ #LawSchool #FirstGenSuccess

In this episode of First Gen 101, host Miguel Sanchez interviews Jonathan Campozano, a practicing immigration attorney. Jonathan shares insights into his journey through law school, how he managed the challenges as a first-generation student, and the importance of finding supportive mentors and student groups. He discusses his work in the immigration clinic under Professor Vanessa Merton, his internships, and offers practical advice for preparing for and succeeding in law school. Tune in to hear about Jonathan's transformative experience and his career path in immigration law.

00:00 Introduction 

01:05 Meet Jonathan Campuzano

01:40 Jonathan's Journey to Law School

05:34 Challenges and Preparation for Law School

08:03 First Year Law School Experiences

12:25 Finding Community and Support

17:24 Immigration Clinic and Mentorship

21:01 Memorable Experiences and Career Impact

24:10 Advice for First Generation Law Students

28:30 Conclusion and Final Tips

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In this episode of the First Gen 101 podcast, Miguel welcomes Richard Mejia, who shares his compelling journey in the field of education. Growing up in Clifton, NJ, Richie faced numerous challenges, both academically and personally. He recounts his high school years, the pivotal moments that shaped his future.  Richie discusses his family's role in motivating him and the turning point when his teacher's encouraging words changed his perspective. He dives into his college experience at Felician University, his eventual role in admissions, and his unique experience of running for and winning a seat on the Clifton Board of Education. Offering wisdom and inspiration for first-generation students, Richie emphasizes the importance of mentorship, networking, and perseverance. Tune in to learn more about Richie's aspirations and vision for the future in this uplifting episode.

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In this episode of First Gen 101, Jessica Tursi, Director of Disability Services and Navigation at Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, shares how her passion for psychology led her to make impactful changes in her community and how she's paving the way for more inclusive environments.  Jessica discusses overcoming challenges, redefining career paths, and the importance of building a supportive community. 

🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on:
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🎤 Do you want to be a podcast guest or know someone with an inspiring story who should be on the podcast?
📧 Send an email to [email protected]

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