- When I was about eight years old
I had it in my mind that
I wanted to go to college.
No one in my family was able to direct me
'cause they hadn't been but
I knew that it was something
that I wanted to do
and I always had dreams
about being in the healthcare field.
It wasn't until my senior year
where a high school professor
reached out to me and said
that I should choose Georgia Tech.
And because of his guidance
I was able to apply
and get in.
Upon getting my acceptance letter
and doing more research and
reaching out to Georgia Tech
I decided that this is where I should be.
(upbeat music)
The biggest challenge
about being first gen
is just the idea of not
knowing what you don't know.
There's so many different
avenues you can go.
There's so many different
pathways through Georgia Tech.
I come from low income.
No one in my family has gone to college.
And I think people
perpetuate the stereotype
of generations repeat themselves
in that it's really hard to take yourself
out of a lower economic status
and elevate yourself into a new one.
- When Keaira was in her senior year
and she was on her way off to
college I had so much anxiety.
Because I didn't know how to assist her.
I didn't know where to go.
Just a lot of being scared and worried
because I didn't know.
I wasn't experienced, I
didn't have the knowledge
to help guide her.
- As a first generation student
I came in just knowing school.
You go to class and you get good grades
and you move onto the next
semester until you graduate.
But there's study abroad,
there's internships,
there's research and I feel
like the biggest challenge
was just ultimately finding
what else I was passionate about
besides just going to
school and going to class.
I had to really find my place on campus.
And I found it in student orgs like NSBE,
National Society of Black Engineers,
I joined GT Crew.
I started GT Gymnastics.
So I think just trying to
get out of my comfort zone
and put myself in uncomfortable situations
so that I could have that personal growth
outside of the classroom too.
- Seeing how that she's been growing here
with leadership roles and how she's
been able to step outside of her box
has been uplifting to me as well.
I've been growing with her.
For other parents who's going through this
for the first time and then
life with their children
going off to college who have never
been able to experience
or go for themselves
do not give up, to have faith
that they child can make it.
Do not let the financial
worries of college deter them.
Speak to the counselors.
The counselors at the school
are available to assist.
All those barriers that is
up front can be knocked down.
- Being the first in my
family to go to college
is humbling because you understand
that not many kids from where I come from
have the same opportunity to do that.
To a high school student I would say
they should one, just
keep their dreams open,
two, ask all questions,
any questions you have.
But three, I think is the most important,
is the importance of a higher education
and the impact it can have.
College can uplift you mentally
but also be financially
beneficial for your entire family.
In May when I graduate I will be moving
to San Francisco to work
as a Consultant Analyst
with Accenture.
- I am so proud to have
Keaira as my oldest child
and being the first one to go to college
because she's such a inspiration.
She has went from being
the mentee to the mentor
by accomplishing her goals.
She set it early and
she has accomplished it.
I am so proud of you.
You are so wonderful.
You are my inspiration.
You just wonderful darling and
I wanna be like you one day.
(laughs)
Keep doin' it, keep striving for the best.
Alright, I love you.
- Oh.
