How Identity Has Influenced a Technical Recruiter at a Top Entertainment Tech Company's Career
Kristin's first-generation college student status meant a lack of familial guidance, forcing a proactive approach: "I had to be hungry...and work twice as hard to build relationships from scratch." This self-advocacy, born from necessity, now informs Kristin's success as a technical recruiter, shaping how Kristin advocates for candidates and hiring leaders.
Networking, Overcoming Challenges, Self-Advocacy, Resilience, First-Generation College Student
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kristin Gonzales
Technical Recruiter
Entertainment Technology Fortune 100
University of San Diego
n/a
Psychology
Technology
Human Resources (HR)
None Applicable, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Had to be proactive and self-motivated due to lack of guidance.
2. Built professional network from scratch through hard work and networking.
3. Advocates for self and others, a skill developed from first-generation college experience.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a first-generation college student, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
I think having that type of background probably means that our parents didn't necessarily have the information to guide us. They certainly wanted success for us, but they were kind of limited in what that scope was.
For me, that meant I had to be hungry and be the squeaky wheel, willing to ask for things because no one was going to hand them to me. I had no network to speak of, to be honest with you.
My parents had made some connections, but not in a field that I necessarily wanted to pursue. This meant I had to work twice as hard to build relationships from scratch and then ask for the things I needed.
It's very much me being an advocate for myself. That has certainly carried over into my career and informs how I advocate for my own candidates and my hiring leaders. That particular life experience probably set me up for my career.