First Gen 101

Miguel E. Sanchez Robles

5.0 (5)
Self-Improvement
Updated Semimonthly

🎉 Welcome to First Gen 101

Sep 4

Conference Confidence: Networking Like a Pro

Send us Fan Mail Miguel welcomes Gary Denning to the First Gen 101 Podcast to share practical strategies for making the most of professional conferences. Gary explains how conferences can accelerate learning, expand your network, and create unexpected career opportunities. Gary shares advice on preparing before a conference, researching attendees, setting networking goals, starting conversations, and staying connected after the event. He also discusses the differences between virtual and in-person conferences, common mistakes to avoid, and why being confident, present, and engaged matters. Whether you're attending your first conference or looking to improve your networking skills, this episode offers practical advice for building meaningful, long-term professional relationships. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:11 Gary’s Career Twists 05:47 Majors Aren’t Linear 07:44 Why Conferences Matter 09:20 First Conference Story 10:59 Cities and Recharging 12:46 Prep Like a Pro 17:01 Simple Networking Goals 19:02 Introverts Can Network 21:05 Conference Connections Pay Off 27:26 Staying in Touch Systems 30:02 Virtual vs In Person 34:22 Common Conference Mistakes 36:12 Be Present Not Phone Bound 38:49 Confidence and Final Takeaways 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
Aug 21

Building a Career with Purpose: Dr. Ciera Graham on First-Gen Success, Networking, and Owning Your Story

Send us Fan Mail On the First Gen 101 Podcast, Miguel interviews Dr. Ciera Graham, a first-gen graduate, higher education leader, and business owner, on navigating college and professional life. She discusses overcoming challenges in college, building a meaningful career in higher education, launching a business, and the power of storytelling, networking, mentorship, and confidence to help first-gen students thrive after graduation. Check out DR. C GRAHAM CONSULTING 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:50 Dr Graham Background 04:03 First Gen College Challenges 08:30 Choosing Sociology Counseling 11:36 Finding Your Career Fit 14:29 Landing the First Job 19:19 Building Campus Initiatives 24:35 Consulting and Career Coaching 27:29 Storytelling and Networking 30:29 Remote Work Relationship Building 34:25 Obstacles Mentors Sponsors 39:11 Greatest Achievement and Closing 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
Aug 7

Jeffrey Deskovic on Law School, Justice Reform & Advocacy

Send us Fan Mail Miguel sits down with first-generation lawyer Jeffrey Deskovic to discuss his wrongful conviction at age 16, his exoneration through DNA evidence, and how his experience inspired him to found the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice. Jeffrey shares how his nonprofit has helped free 15 wrongfully convicted individuals and supported nine criminal justice reforms. He also reflects on his decision to attend the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, offers practical advice for succeeding in law school, and discusses the challenges of nonprofit leadership, criminal justice reform, and how others can support the mission. 00:00 Welcome to First Gen 101 00:31 Wrongful Conviction Story 02:07 Freedom and Advocacy Path 04:41 Why Law School at Pace 06:59 Preparing for 1L Success 10:43 1L Reality Check 13:55 Study Groups and Support 15:33 Finding Mentors in Law 19:57 How Law School Changed Him 22:51 Inside Deskovic Foundation 24:49 Running a Nonprofit Daily 28:53 Policy Goals and Active Cases 32:26 Advice for Future Advocates 35:24 Lessons and How to Help 41:11 Final Advice and Farewell 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
Jun 5

Uncharted Paths: Katie Leiva on Learning and Adaptability

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of First Gen 101, Miguel interviews Katie Leiva about career growth, networking, and life after college. Katie shares how her mother’s journey from Cuba shaped her family’s commitment to education. She reflects on changing career path, pivoting into student affairs, and landing her first job at Vanderbilt after attending a professional conference. As a military spouse, she learned to adapt, reinventing herself when needed before building a career as an Accredited Financial Counselor who now trains financial coaches. Katie offers practical networking advice, encourages exploring new professional opportunities, and defines success as meaningful work, continuous learning, and having the courage to seek change. 00:00 Welcome to First Gen 101 + What This Episode Covers 00:28 Katie’s First-Gen Story: Cuban Roots & Family’s Path to North Carolina 02:19 College to Grad School: Loving Learning, Then Questioning Academia 04:45 Landing the First Job: Mentors, Professional Orgs & the Conference Breakthrough 08:01 Marriage, Moving to California & Rebuilding a Career on the Fly 10:39 Military Spouse Mindset: Reinvention, Resources & Staying Resume-Ready 12:25 Finding the Right Fit: From Student Affairs to Financial Coaching & Teaching 15:14 Discovering the “Universe of Opportunities”: Professional Orgs & Exploration 17:33 Conference Networking Playbook (Even for Introverts) 22:39 Career Growth Skills: Seeing the Big Picture & Building Internal Networks 24:53 Redefining Long-Term Success: Pride, Fulfillment & Continuous Learning 25:51 Final Reflections: Advice to Younger Self, Biggest Achievement & Closing 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
May 22

Financial Clarity Starts Within: Insights from Samuel Molina

Send us Fan Mail Financial Clarity Starts Within: Insights from Samuel Molina In this episode of the First Gen 101 podcast, Miguel interviews Samuel Molina, founder of the Academy of Financial Education, a nonprofit delivering practical and culturally relevant financial education. They discuss his first-gen college experience and the key money lessons he learned from his mother. Samuel explains the Academy’s holistic approach, paired with financial counseling and therapy, to address money beliefs. 00:00 Welcome to First Gen 101 + Meet Samuel Molina 01:05 From Service & Politics to Personal Finance: The Turning Point 03:49 First-Gen Perspective: Family, Education, and Money Mindsets 06:51 Networking as a First-Gen Grad (and the Bulldog Connection) 08:38 Biggest First-Gen Wins + Early Money Lessons Growing Up 10:47 Inside the Academy of Financial Education: Holistic Money Skills 13:38 Financial Counseling vs. Financial Therapy: What’s the Difference? 15:38 Who Needs Financial Therapy? A Real Client Debt Story 18:08 Serving Spanish-Speaking Communities & Breaking the Money Taboo 20:28 What’s Next: Group Financial Therapy, Community Events, and Going Global 22:24 DIY Resources, Credit Repair Tools, and How to Reach Samuel 24:26 3 Money Principles in 2 Minutes + Final Wrap-Up 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
May 1

Building Financial Clarity: Education, Culture, and the Long Game with Elizaveta Shafir

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the First Gen 101 podcast, Elizaveta Shafir, founder of Intentional Money, shares how becoming financially independent at 20 pushed her from month-to-month budgeting into long-term planning. She discusses moving from Russia to the U.S. at 27 and learning a new financial system, including how to navigate credit history, 401(k)s, retirement planning, and investing. Elizaveta explains how her interest in personal finance led her to launch Intentional Money. She breaks down education as an investment—degree, knowledge, brand, and network. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:49 Money Independence at 20 02:38 First Paycheck and Russia Roots 03:55 Immigrating and US Money Culture 07:29 Launching Intentional Money 10:24 Education as ROI Decision 17:10 Why MIT Was the Accelerator 21:00 Networking for First Gen Pros 23:52 Work Life Balance and Saying No 29:24 Consistency and Closing Thoughts 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
Apr 17

Building a Law Firm: Insights from Hasmik Vardanyan

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the First Gen 101 Podcast, host Miguel welcomes Hasmik Vardanyan, a former legal intern at John Jay Legal Services and now a successful law firm owner of the Vardanyan Law Group. Hasmik shares her inspiring journey from moving to the USA at 17, gaining invaluable experience at Pace Law, to eventually opening her own firm. They discuss the importance of internships, the realities of running a law firm, and essential advice for first-gen students and aspiring business owners. Packed with insight and personal anecdotes, this episode offers practical advice for anyone passionate about a legal career or entrepreneurship. Tune in for an engaging conversation that underscores the importance of mentorship, networking, and resilience. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:15 Early Legal Experiences and Internships 02:49 Deciding to Become a Lawyer 04:56 Starting and Running a Law Firm 09:31 Balancing Law Practice and Business Operations 18:22 Advice for Aspiring Law Firm Owners 23:19 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts 27:40 Contact Information and Closing Remarks 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!
Apr 10

Building Wealth and Legacy with Eustache Clerveaux

Send us Fan Mail Miguel welcomes first-gen graduate Eustache Clerveaux to the First Gen 101 podcast to discuss his journey from Haiti to the U.S. Eustache describes working multiple jobs through school, completing an MBA in finance, and spending years trying to break into the industry before starting in life insurance sales and building credentials. Now a partner and private wealth advisor firm, he helps clients reach their financial goals. He emphasizes legacy as access and persistence as the key to progress. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:27 Shared College Roots 00:55 Dreams Math to Law 04:17 Family Loss and Finance Shift 05:51 Working Through College 07:38 Student Debt Tradeoffs 09:55 Breaking Into Finance 12:32 MBA and Five Year Plan 15:08 Wealth Advisor Mission 16:37 Legacy and Behavior 18:35 First Gen Money Pitfalls 20:48 Top Worries and Retirement 22:37 Advice for New Grads 24:48 Spending Traps and Automating Savings 28:07 Connect and Final Takeaways 29:43 Biggest Achievement and Closing 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!

Trailer

First Gen 101: Trailer

Send us Fan Mail First Gen 101: Empowering First-Generation Students Welcome to First Gen 101, a podcast where first-generation graduates share their stories and career tips to empower first-generation students. Hosted by Miguel Sanchez, a first-generation college and graduate student, each episode features guests discussing their experiences, struggles, triumphs, and the valuable lessons they’ve learned. Whether you’re a first-gen student or interested in the power of persistence, this podcast is for you. Subscribe and tune in every other Friday starting January 17th, 2025. 00:00 Introduction to First Gen 101 00:19 Meet Your Host: Miguel Sanchez 00:29 What to Expect in Each Episode 00:46 Who Should Listen to This Podcast? 00:59 Subscribe and Tune In 01:11 Closing Remarks 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on: 📱 Facebook: First Gen 101 📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast 🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101 🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com 🎤 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 miguel@firstgen101.com 🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!

5

out of 5

5 Ratings

Excellent podcast!

01/31/2025

Jonathan Campozano

Very informative and insightful.

🎉 Welcome to First Gen 101

Creator

Miguel E. Sanchez Robles
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

33
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 First Gen 101
Show Website

First Gen 101