A Case Study of One First Generation College Student's Bumpy Path to EarningTheir Meteorology Degree - What Professors and Hiring Officials Need to Know

First-generation college students (FGCS), those whose parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, face many challenges other students may not encounter. Many FGCS come from low-income households and may have difficulty with college expenses. Parents of FGCS are often unfamiliar with the college admission process, and are less likely to be able to help with admission or scholarship essays, college tours, adjustment to college life, and figuring out finances. Finally, many FGCS report experiencing extreme cases of imposter syndrome, feeling like they don’t belong or that they aren’t as smart as their peers.

The FGCS who will be profiled experienced many of the above challenges and more. These challenges hindered the student’s academic achievement and limited professional/internship opportunities. Further, the academic advisor for this student, one of their meteorology professors, lacked an understanding of the challenges, which created additional obstacles, or at the very least didn’t improve the chances of success for this particular student.

Many BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) students are also FGCS. If colleges and universities are going to produce the diverse field of job candidates most of today’s employers are seeking, they need to create an environment which leads to success for these FGCS.