How Identity Has Influenced a Cofounder at Unconventional Ventures's Career
Being a first-generation college student meant Aaron's path was his own, free from legacy or expectation, allowing him to genuinely ask "what do I want from it? What do I want it to be?" while being Hispanic provided an attribute for unique connection and community, broadening perspective and offering different tastes of what's out there, leading to an ability to connect with people in ways that others cannot.
First-Generation College Student, Hispanic Identity, Career Path, Community, Connection
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Aaron Chavez
Cofounder/CEO/CFO
Unconventional Ventures
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey | Barrett
Finance
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Business Strategy
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. First-generation college student status meant the path was self-defined, without legacy pressures, allowing for genuine exploration of personal aspirations.
2. Hispanic identity is viewed as an attribute that enables unique connections with others, enhancing networking and providing diverse perspectives.
3. The ability to connect with people through shared attributes, like being Hispanic, provides valuable context on community and fosters a deeper understanding of diverse environments and personal alignment.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a first-generation and Hispanic student, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Both aspects contributed in their own way. Being a first-generation college student meant my path was my own. I didn't have a legacy to fulfill or a pre-carved path to follow, which can be daunting.
It's nice to have a path set out for you, whether through money, status, or profession. My dad set tile and did plumbing, while my mom started in the mailroom and became a senior fraud analyst. Neither graduated from a four-year university.
Neither of their careers interested me, and my dad wouldn't have allowed me to set tile. So, I had to figure out something new. This openness led me to ask what I truly wanted from a life that could be anything.
Many people struggle to genuinely ask themselves what they want because of assumptions pushed by their life, culture, church, or other influences. That openness was a big value for me.
On the Hispanic side, I see it broadly as an attribute, similar to other cultural commonalities. People from all over the world have unique aspects to their backgrounds.
It feels like an attribute, like being tall or short. This means you have commonalities with others, but also plenty of differences. More than anything, it makes connection feel real.
You can connect with people in ways others might not. This ability to find connections is incredibly abundant. Seeing the Hispanic attribute come alive in our food, language, and the vibe at events compared to predominantly white events is unique.
These unique attributes allow you to relate to people more and get a different perspective on what's out there and what you align with. Some days I align with one group more, other days another, depending on the day or what I'm advocating for.
Ultimately, it gave me good context on community and connection.