Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 0:00

I was very much involved during my undergraduate career. When I was going to school, I was also myself working two jobs. I also had to do my clinical internship. I was working at an office on aging, so working with older adults. I was working with young adults and I wasn't getting paid for it, but I was building the connection that I needed through the way. So a lot of what opened the doors for me is leaning on my social capital and the mentorship. I know sometimes students may not see the bigger picture, but really investing in those genuine connections and just being eager to learn, right? Not necessarily looking at somebody and saying, Hey, I need a job, but really looking at someone and saying, how did you get here? Starting those career conversations. So throughout my undergrad and even grad was just making sure that I was putting myself in the position to be around individuals. That one had alignment to fifth. To purpose, right? So much of what they're doing is something that I find meaning in, but also developing the relationships that I needed. Why is it important for first generation students to find their purpose and their why? Yeah, absolutely. So something that I do, I'm a certified social worker, so I really look at the whole person. I wanna make sure that individuals feel empowered, their voices are heard, but ultimately are doing things that they enjoy, right? And feeling fulfilled. And so when we talk about finding your purpose, especially working with first gen students and college students in general. If you're looking to explore a major or a career that really lights you up, it's really important to make sure your passion, your wellbeing is energized and that you know what drains you. And so if you're working in things or you're doing things that do not fulfill you. Holistically or mind, body and soul, and you don't feel passion there, you're going to feel overwhelmed in your day to day. You're not going to, you're gonna feel stagnant.

Miguel Sanchez: 2:04

Hello everyone. Welcome to another episode of the First Gen one-on-one podcast where first generation graduates share their stories and career tips. Today we have Sarah Smythe. Thank you for joining us today.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 2:17

you so much for having Thank you so much for having me. One of the benefits of doing this podcast is that we get to share the power for stories of people like you who are first generation graduates, but you are also helping first generation students. So first of all, I just wanna thank you for that. Recently I read a post on your LinkedIn dimension exploring the power of purpose and discovering your why, and the conversation was in context of you working with other students as they begin their college journey. So can you tell us why is it important for first generation students to find their purpose and their why? Yeah, absolutely. So something that I do, I'm a certified social worker, so I really look at the whole person. I wanna make sure that individuals feel empowered, their voices are heard, but Where their voices are heard, are doing things that they enjoy, doing things that they enjoy, right? You fulfill. And finding your purpose, a purpose, first gen working with first gen students and to if you're looking to working that really or career that really like you up. important It's really important to make sure your passion, your wellbeing, and energized, and that you know what drain. if so in if you're working in things or you're doing things that not you, um, holistically or towards mind, and you don't feel passion there you're going to you're going to in feel overwhelmed in your day to day. You're not gonna. stagnant. gonna and again, you're um, And again, you're not gonna feel fulfilled. So what I usually do is one, we really delve into Iki guy, which is a Japanese concept and really, just understanding self, and wellbeing and what do you love to do? What does the community need? What do you wanna get paid for? And really just tapping into self and intersecting there on those there on those different avenues Folks way. decision. can make a sound decision. And whatever you choose today may not be what you choose tomorrow because things evolve. The connections that we need evolve. But ultimately you wanna make sure that you know what your purpose is and it's whatever you do is an alignment to that. One of the

Miguel Sanchez: 4:30

things that I've noticed about students going off to college is they have a vague idea of what they want to do. It seems a lot of first generation, students, they're thinking about college, they're thinking about having a job, but it doesn't seem clear that they understand why, one, they should go to college. And then number two, what is it that energizes them. To be able to pull through the four years of college. Before we get into your story,'cause I really wanna hear about what really energizes you. Tell me tell me about your work at St. Peter's University. So.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 5:05

working in higher education for a plus years now, both at a two and four year institution. In my current role now at St. Peter's University, I'm the director for Trio Student Support Services, which is a federal funded program that supports low income first generation college students and even students with documented disability to persevere. Throughout their undergrad journey and even beyond. And through that, it's through the holistic support, looking at the student academically, personally, career as well as financial literacy, which is really important for our students. But I come from a first gen program actually the Educational Opportunity Fund program, which is in New Jersey, which is a sister program. And I went through that coming into college as a traditional student and seeing the mentorship, seeing the doors and the gateways that it opened up for me. I knew that's what I wanted to do. And I wouldn't be here speaking to you and much of my work if it wasn't through the support and guidance I received from that. And much of what fuels me today is. Put Pouring back into those that poured into me To making sure that there's equitable student success, for our students. and making sure that institutions are modeling support programs. because we see the Return on investment. We see the We see see the persistence and the graduation rates out of these programs. And a lot has to do with the wraparound services. that not only looks at the student as a number, but looks at the student as a human being. And that's what I do. I put into practice and implement initiatives that. support that. And I've just been, at all, I would say throughout my whole experience, because when students come into my office just to say hi, or they tell me that they got an internship or they say, thank you for that bus card that you provided me. I was able to get home and pick up my sister. It's the little things like that really make my day. And I just I'm so grateful to be working with these groups of students and at St. Peter's University.

Miguel Sanchez: 7:10

until I started the podcast, I didn't know much about the programs that are out there helping first generation students, especially the TRIO program. What were some of the circumstances? What sort of impressed upon you? I am a first generation student. There's certain things that I dunno, do you have a, an example of that would really, uh, point to that? Yeah.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 7:32

absolutely. So just to give some background on just who I am as an individual I'm a first generation college graduate professional, and now business owner. But I was raised by my grandfather, my grandmother, along with a single mother. We were a middle class family, been in New Jersey my whole life. My grandparents didn't have nothing more than a high school diploma. My mother worked. Two jobs really making ends meet. And although we were middle class I am grateful and something that was always instilled me, instilled in me through my family is the more you know, the better off you are. And it didn't necessarily mean the more you know Intellectually, but the more you are exposed, the more people you're around, the better off you are. And I didn't know if college was in the Books for me. it was my senior year, we were looking at the warmer weather. Everybody's getting their acceptance letters for college and I didn't apply yet. I was just trying to figure it out and my guidance counselor pulled me aside and said, Hey, Hudson County Community College is coming. I want you to apply. I received an acceptance and at the time And this huge ti stigma when Folks were going to community colleges, right. One, you're Not well Equipped academically. You don't have the financial means, which I didn't necessarily have the financial means to Go into a four year public institution in New Jersey, let alone outta state. And so I then was accepted and that's when I was pre-qualified for the EOF program. There was a pre-college summer program going on and I was getting ready to go to Jamaica with my grandparents, and my mom, first time flying, first. Big gift ever big ticket item. And I had to tell them, I need to come back a little earlier because I'm gonna start this college program. And it was that moment on that really allowed me to realize wow, I am the first in my family to go to college and I'm making this happen. But also the mentorship that I received throughout the process was just like reinstiling, that you are capable. You can do this and we are gonna support you. And something that I instill within my students, being part of Trio, EOF or other programs, is we're always an extension of family. And although I had the stability at home on making sure I had a roof over my head, it was warm and I had food, but they didn't understand what the college process was. And so that stability for me was at college because that allowed me to have an outlook of the possibilities career wise. That allowed me to know the different resources that I'm eligible for stepping outside of my traditional model that I had at home. And that's just how I started to recognize what first Gen was. I don't think it was talked about as much. until now as time progresses and these initiatives come about, we talk about first gen more proudly. But it was something that I think in the beginning I was a little ashamed about because it's you're first gen You didn't come from much. But At the end of the day, I tradition I conditioned myself to realize no, you came from so much. You have great, you have perseverance. You seen your family, Put in hours of hard work to make it where they are today. And now I need to put in the work to pave the way for generations to come. That's the way that, Life rolled itself out for me. I knew I wanted to help people. I became a social worker going to school at Rutgers, and I said, my niche is college. My niche is these incoming high school students or these middle age these young adults because they're such at a crucial developmental stage in figuring out their career and their passions. and I wanted to be part of that process.

Miguel Sanchez: 11:19

A couple things you mentioned that, that stuck to me. One is this idea of family and one of the things that I've been learning and one of the lessons really the big lessons over the last almost year now, is that the first generation experience is true across backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses. Ethnicities, et cetera. So it is this really global experience. And another thing that you mentioned that really caught my attention. Is the importance of community colleges. I went to a community college and now it's been, I don't even remember 15 years later. I'm very grateful because I was able to have people around me who were very much like me, but also faculty and staff who were able to understand my situation that helped me. But one thing that's not really talked about, I feel as it should be. Is financial aid and the cost of going to college, going to a community college is much less expensive than going to a private school. It really helps you in the long run. Any thoughts on that about the cost of colleges, in terms of the college, in terms of the community colleges and the role they play?

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 12:38

so

Miguel Sanchez: 12:39

Yeah,

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 12:39

to

Miguel Sanchez: 12:39

so

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 12:40

college

Miguel Sanchez: 12:40

went

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 12:40

to a community college. It was, It was, um, I didn't have to pay anything, and I actually got a Fund check to help sustain my my tuition or my other educational expenses. But I do agree. I think, Now we're moving out of the stigma of what community college is, and what it really could provide and the partnerships that a lot of community colleges are developing amongst other institutions Dual enrollment programs four plus one programs transfer processes, which is amazing. I know for me, When I went to the community college, I applied to Rutgers and at the top at the time they had run to the top. So whatever. I received from financial aid, Pell, and tag. And there was a balance run to the top. match that because of my GPA and different things in that sort. So I think. now even for students that are very much uncertain and they're just figuring things out, maybe a community college is a great option for them because it, allows them to tap into these different disciplines at a very low cost rate, maybe not paying anything at all. And there's a lot of partnerships that a lot of these community college do have with four year institutions that maybe their a game, right? Maybe their end goal, of where they wanna go. I know for me that's what that was. And I have to say, a lot of four year institutions now are becoming aware of the competitiveness of community college and how they're, advancing. And now four year institutions are looking at integrating associate programs and different things in that sort. I know at St. Peter's University, we have an associate program and that's growing, especially for high school students in our dual enrollment. I'm seeing this more on that. A lot of high school students nowadays are. becoming more exposed to the college experience. Right as early as their sophomore, junior, senior year of college, high school. And I didn't necessarily have that advantage. So seeing that some of these students are coming in with 15, 20, 30 credits before even entering college is just mind blowing to me. For them to finish an associate's degree in a year as opposed to two years is just beautiful. I think times are advancing

Miguel Sanchez: 14:47

advancing,

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 14:48

in a way.

Miguel Sanchez: 14:49

what are some of the biggest challenges you're seeing for first generation students? You think they're still the same that we saw when we were in college. Have you, are you noticing anything that first generation students should be really paying attention to?

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 15:01

Yeah, so I think right now we're still at the. of COVID, right. I think that definitely delayed delayed, of um, a lot of intellectual and lot of our students, even those that do come from first generation backgrounds. And a lot of things that I am seeing is. They are having more hats to wear, right? They're juggling many responsibilities and balancing what that looks and so when you need to ensure that you can pay to get to school or you need to make sure that you can pay your rent. Sometimes sitting in the class is not going to, you're not gonna be fully present. And so what I'm seeing at least within my students is they're wearing so many they're and responsibilities. And so how do institutions make sure that they have wraparound services that look at the student making sure that we have financial support, making sure that there is a food pantry, making sure that there is a clothing drive, making sure there is Babysitters and mental health counseling because that's just gonna make it a little bit just gonna make it a little bit more easier for students. said, Um, Because like I said, sometimes their stability is at the the thing that we can provide them is those services that they may not have outside. And we know that's challenging because there's a lot of grants out there that have restrictions And there's a lot of funding that, is being threatened or taken away. But a lot of what I'm seeing is students just need their basic needs to be taken care of because they're struggling and they wanna be here. They have the grit, they have the perseverance, they want to break those generational curses. But it's so hard for them because they're being the environment that they're in is not providing them with that stability.

Miguel Sanchez: 16:55

going to college is one challenge in and of itself. Yeah. Then it's getting a job. How did you, in your experience, how did you build your professional career? Was it through mentorships? did you just apply to places? How was the transition from graduation to the, okay, I'm going to, into my first job.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 17:16

Yeah. very much involved during my undergraduate career. When I was going to school, I was also myself working two jobs. I also had to do my clinical internships. I was working at an office on aging, so working with older adults. I was working with young adults. And I wasn't getting paid for it, but I was building the connections that I needed through the way. So a lot of what opened the doors for me is leaning on my social capital and the mentorships. And I know sometimes students may not see the bigger picture, but really investing in those. Genuine connections. And just being eager to learn, right? Not necessarily looking at somebody and saying, Hey, I need a job, but really looking at someone and saying, how did you get here? Starting those career conversations. So throughout my undergrad and even grad I was just making sure that I was putting myself in the position to be around individuals that one had alignment to, to purpose, right? So much of what they're doing is something that. I find meaning in but also developing the relationships that I needed. So a lot came from mentorship. A lot came from looking at student employment as not only student employment, but just as An opportunity of building my professional resume. And no job was less than Right. A title didn't mean anything because a lot of the skills that I learned were transferable into any role. And something that I lean very heavily on is definitely storytelling. And even through my. Interviews and my connections that I made, I always start with who I am, where I came from because I think it just gives them a better understanding of who you are as a person and why it is that you wanna do what you wanna do. Because I don't show up just for a paycheck, Right. We know we can, move. A lot of people are moving from higher ed to corporate America, but we're doing this because we love the work that we do, and we find that passion and values. So I would say a lot came from the mentorship, the social capital, just building relationships looking for. Connections that were opening up at the institution and just taking it one step at a time. And a lot of these programs at institutions there's built in internships, right? There's built in partnerships that students can take advantage of. And although it may invest a lot of time if you put in that time and energy, it pays off in the long run. I have to say.

Miguel Sanchez: 19:46

before I move on to the next question, one thing that I just wanna mention, and this is a, and aside, I was listening to an interview of two people in the tech industry, and they were talking about ai and one of the things that, that came up in that conversation, the question was more or less, what are some of the skills that. Students going into college should be developing. And they mentioned storytelling and it really caught my attention that you also mentioned storytelling. And I think that's a really good lesson for all of us really, is to develop that skill of storytelling because we don't know how AI is going to affect not only college education, but. Work and jobs later on, but that idea of storytelling, I think it just really resonated with me after listening to that conversation. why do you think first generation students might be struggling with developing mentorship relationships? Do you think it's just the availability of mentors that maybe we should be doing more Or do you think it's maybe students that just don't know how to approach

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 20:52

I think that's a good point. I think it's twofold. So I think it's students not necessarily knowing how to approach where to go, but I also think it aligns with us as professionals. How do we outreach to these different organizations or the groups that we feel passionate about that we wanna give back to. And so when I work with students a lot is they're in their heads. Their CEOs, their directors, um, And they're intimidated. And I say to them all the time, they were once you. Right? And I bet any amount of money, I know I'm one. If I'm in a budget meeting, I would prefer not to be in the budget meeting and speak to a student like yourself. That wants to go into the field that I'm working in. And so a lot of what I do is just tell students to utilize their student card because something that you mentioned earlier. is, Once they graduate and getting a job it's challenging. so utilize what you have now as a student and use that to your advantage. So start having. Using LinkedIn reaching out to folks that organizations that you align with you and you wanna work for message different professionals from those organizations and just say, hi, my name is so and i'm a student studying in this major. I see that you're doing this. I'd love 10 to 15 minutes of your time just to see, what brung you into the role that you're in today. What got you here? And sometimes more often than not they'll reach back out, right? Whether they're responding via text, via message, email, or even scheduling a work patrol call. And if you get lucky enough, maybe it's in person, right? In their actual office at the organization you wanna work for. So I always start there and. then. In terms of Like professionals. Going back to our alumni, like our our school that we graduated from seeing, what opportunities they have to work with undergrad or grad students just to give back. I know for me, I always reach back out to my EOF program and my graduate program. To see what it is that they're doing and how I can just come and speak to the students, and give my insight. I utilize my LinkedIn to really share what it is that I'm doing and connecting with students just so that others see it's a safe space and that they ever wanna reach out that I'm here. But I would say it's about both. I think it's even us as professionals, sometimes we develop imposter syndrome and we feel like maybe what we're doing is not good enough. And we may not be able to guide others in the right direction. It's no, you need to remind yourself that you got yourself here And you have a lot of skills and knowledge that others wanna learn. from. And although we walk in different pathways at some way, shape or form being first gen, we intersect. and it's through that storytelling and it's through those genuine connections that we develop through the way.

Miguel Sanchez: 23:41

recently you launched your own consulting business. So tell us about this initiative.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 23:47

absolutely.

Miguel Sanchez: 23:48

So,

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 23:49

my first business. So I'm a first time business owner, so it's east my and cos consulting and really it's strengthening systems, empowering people. I'm really consulting with compassion through my social work background. And the goal is to make sure that we are providing equitable access for students. in Structuring systems that support them holistically. So me working with different partners and helping them strategically look at what their goals are and what may be missing, and how we can frame it to look at. students and their needs and blocking those barriers that come along the way. But also mentorship professional development for advisors. Something that I really focus on within my program, especially with my advisors, is moving from an a deficit to an asset based approach. The cultural wealth model. All of our students have all of these wonderful backgrounds. Some of them know more than one language. They have the linguistic, they know people within their hometown and church and basketball coaches, like how they have these supports that they need to recognize. and How are we making sure our approaches are tailored to that when we're working with them? Because we wanna make sure we're having an inclusive and safe space. And again, if college is supposed to provide that stability, we also need to make sure that, Our connections are genuine. So I build that into my consulting along with doing workshops for college students on career readiness, academic preparedness but also even talking about my journey and storytelling to empower those To fuel them to continue their passion.

Miguel Sanchez: 25:31

you mentioned making connections with people in your community, whether it's your church, other clubs, et cetera. online education, it's making it in some ways easier, right? For students to sit from their homes and take a class that they would otherwise have to drive or walk, whatever the case is to that place. But one of the concerns that I have is this breaking down the personal connection that it's so important as you're trying to build genuine relationships, as you mentioned. Yeah, and I'll make sure to leave the link to your business in the show notes so that people can find you and it'll be posted in our Instagram so people can reach out to you and they can connect with you how you can help them. As we come to the end, what has been your biggest achievement as a first generation graduate?

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 26:21

that's a good question. I think for me, one of my biggest achievements is Honestly, circling back to everything we talked about is being fulfilled and finding something that really aligns with, me and that I can see myself doing years to come. Throughout all my educational experience, trials and tribulations it brought me to where I am today and I feel good. I'm helping others. and I think that's something that is a huge achievement in and of itself. Besides the accolades, of course.

Miguel Sanchez: 26:56

And to end, is there anything else that you would like to add? Maybe you wanna mention some of the ways that people can connect with you. They want to consult your services.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 27:05

absolutely. Right now my email is esmytheconsulting@gmail.com. I am utilizing my LinkedIn profile. Right now to connect with folks. we're building our website out. Again, first gen business owner. I'm gonna be my first gen brand ambassador. But it's to come. But I am on social media all the time. Feel free to reach out. And I look forward to working with anybody that comes my way. But even if for students that are listening or recent graduat. I'm always here to be a soundboard, but also a space for you to share and hopefully I can provide some guidance to help you find the light to the end of the tunnel.

Miguel Sanchez: 27:45

thank you very much for spending time with us. For the rest of you, catch the next episode.

Sarah Smyth (She/Her): 27:49

you so much.

Miguel Sanchez: 27:50

Thank you.