How Identity Influenced A Program Evaluation Specialist's Career At UC San Diego
As a first-generation college student, Merissa's academic career path, predominantly at universities, differed significantly from their parents' experiences, requiring Merissa to "really rely on the advice...getting from faculty or other mentors." This unique situation led to interesting career decisions, such as pursuing graduate school full-time despite family reservations about debt and job prospects, ultimately resulting in a successful outcome and a shared learning experience for everyone involved.
Higher Education, Mentorship, Career Navigation, First-Generation College Student, Risk-Taking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Merissa Kado-Walton
Program Evaluation Specialist
University of California, San Diego
UCLA 2014
San Diego State University, MA in Psychology
Psychology
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Data and Analytics
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Marissa's experience as a first-generation college student highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating a predominantly academic career without familial guidance. She emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship and advice from faculty, colleagues, and supervisors.
2. Her decision to pursue graduate school despite her parents' concerns showcases the risks and rewards of career choices, particularly in academic settings. This illustrates the need for self-advocacy and confidence in one's path.
3. The positive outcome of her choices—a successful career and a deeper understanding between Marissa and her parents—demonstrates the potential for personal and professional growth through navigating unconventional career trajectories and overcoming familial reservations.
Transcript
Marissa, as a first-generation college student, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
My career is predominantly academic. I've mostly worked at universities, which is something my parents have never done. They didn't attend a four-year university.
So going through UCLA on my own and also doing a graduate program was definitely a little more challenging because I didn't have parents I could talk to about things. Frankly, some of my work goes completely over their heads because it's just not their career path.
It definitely impacted how I navigated through things because I had to really rely on the advice I was getting from faculty, other mentors, colleagues, or even my supervisor at work for what they thought my next move should be, or their thoughts on what I was thinking I wanted to do. I had a secure job and I stopped so I could go to grad school full-time, which is something my parents were hesitant about.
They were concerned I wouldn't find a job again after. But it was definitely interesting and it made me take what I wouldn't say were risks necessarily, but maybe in my parents' eyes, I was taking risks or unnecessarily incurring debt they weren't sure I was going to pay off.
So it was definitely an interesting thing to have to talk to people that didn't know me quite as personally about career advice or schooling advice. But ultimately, I got really good advice and it worked out fine for me. My parents have learned a lot in the process too, so everyone wins.
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