Rollins Junior Shares Experience as a First-Generation College Student

Writing ahead of First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8, Evans examined the systemic and personal hurdles faced by undergraduate students whose parents did not earn bachelor's degrees.

According to Evans, "54% of U.S. undergraduates in 2020 had parents without a bachelor's degree," yet these students "graduate at far lower rates than their peers." While financial limitations form a core component of this challenge, Evans emphasized that the absence of familial experience with college traditions creates distinct barriers. "Students whose parents went to college often hear about scholarships, internships and careers at the dinner table," Evans noted. "My parents have always supported me, but they could not tell me how to find a scholarship or land an internship, so I had to find people who could."

To overcome these obstacles, Evans stressed the necessity of building professional and institutional networks. Programs such as RISE and EMBARK at Rollins College provide vital pre-orientation support to help first-generation students acclimate, but Evans argued that individuals must actively navigate these systems. "Students have to walk through it, even when that means asking for help," she wrote.

Evans illustrated this point by sharing her pursuit of an international study opportunity in China during the fall of 2024. Facing family financial hurdles and initial discouragement regarding the feasibility of studying abroad in Mandarin, Evans sought guidance from the director of Global Initiatives and her academic adviser. She noted that her application for a scholarship and subsequent experience abroad "ultimately doubled" her educational outlook, ultimately inspiring her to travel independently to China in January 2025.

Reflecting on her career preparation, Evans highlighted the importance of proactive networking, noting that her internship at a New York hedge fund materialized because she reached out directly to a professional. "Networking, I learned, is less about collecting contacts than building real relationships before you know where they lead," she stated.

Encouraging fellow undergraduates to lean into discomfort, Evans advised, "Ask a professor, or email a professional whose career interests you, and ask how they got started. Don't let a title intimidate you. Most people remember being students and are glad to help."

Read the full op-ed here.