As a first-generation college student, I came into university feeling slightly out of place. Even so, I knew I deserved to be here and I was determined to prove it to myself and others from day one.
Freshman Year: Setting a Foundation
As a first-generation college student, I came into university feeling slightly out of place. Even so, I knew I deserved to be here and I was determined to prove it to myself and others from day one.
During my freshman year, I knew I wanted to pursue finance. I didn’t just want the degree, but the experience. I had heard about the Finance Club and made it a priority to attend meetings regularly. At the time, the club was relatively small, which allowed me to build strong relationships and eventually run for an officer position. By the end of the year, I was elected and held my first real leadership role in college.
Sophomore Year: Engaging in Career Areas
Sophomore year was when things became more challenging. I began taking more finance and accounting specific courses. Some came naturally, while others pushed me in ways I wasn’t expecting. After a difficult experience with one finance professor, I started questioning whether finance was the right path for me. At the time, I found myself understanding accounting concepts more easily and even considered switching my concentration entirely.
However, the following semester I took another finance course that completely changed my perspective. I realized that the issue wasn’t the subject, it was the experience. I did understand finance, and I enjoyed it. At the same time, I saw the value in developing strong accounting knowledge. Instead of choosing one over the other, I added accounting as a second concentration.
Around this time, I also decided to run for President of the Finance Club. Attendance had been struggling, and I wanted to help rebuild engagement. Although I didn’t win the presidency, I was elected Vice President. That role allowed me to grow as a leader, strengthen my understanding of the industry, and gain experience in organizing events and working with professionals.
Junior Year: Intentionally Gaining Experience
“Junior year marked the beginning of my internship search.”
– Maximus –
Junior year marked the beginning of my internship search. I applied everywhere. Company websites, LinkedIn, Handshake and I attended career fairs, resume workshops, and networking events. The connections I had built through the Finance Club gave me a strong starting point, but expanding beyond that network was critical. Between my leadership experience, on-campus jobs, and growing professional relationships, I eventually secured an internship.
During my internship, I made it a goal to maximize the experience. While the program itself wasn’t overly difficult, I treated every project as an opportunity to learn and grow. I worked on credit reports, contributed to multiple projects, attended a business trip, and took on responsibilities beyond the initial expectations. I wanted to leave not just having completed the internship, but having fully understood and absorbed the work.
Senior Year: Securing Post-Graduation Plans
When it came time to interview for a full-time position, that decision paid off. I was able to speak in depth about my experiences, share specific examples of challenges and contributions, and clearly articulate what I had learned. Those detailed stories helped differentiate me from other candidates. Ultimately, I was fortunate to receive a full-time offer.
Looking back, my journey wasn’t perfectly linear. I questioned my major, lost an election, and faced moments of doubt. But each experience, especially the difficult ones, helped shape my growth. As a first-generation student, I learned that belonging isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build through action, persistence, and willingness to step forward.
Maximus Gonzales is a senior in the College of Business at Colorado State University. He’s a Student Career Navigator in the Career Management Center, and is a resource to help students get connected to resources for their own successful college-to-career journey.
