To My Fellow First-Generations Pursuing Medicine

As Vice President Kamala Harris once said, “You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had1.” No words have ever resonated more with me as a first-generation college student.

One of the main obstacles I’ve faced, as a first-generation student, has been my parent’s English language barrier, as they emigrated to the United States from South America. From a young age, I’ve had to act as a translator for them so that they could understand conversations and concepts fully. I remember being eight years old, coming home from school, and sitting with my mother while I did my English homework in order to teach her what I was learning. We’d go over pronunciations and spelling of basic words. Any word I taught her she would then translate back to me in Spanish so I could learn as well. By age 10, I was reading and explaining important documents mailed to my father. Reading tax documents and credit card information isn’t something you quite understand at that age, but I did the best I could. This became routine in my life, and more so, an obligation as my parents hadn’t been educated in English like I was.

I always loved helping, as it was a small gesture given everything they had done to raise me in the U.S. I continue to be a resource to my parents in this manner, even today.

In addition to the language barrier, the lack of “network” has also definitely been an impediment for me to overcome. No one in my family has been involved in medicine or knows about preparing for a medical career. When I realized my interest in medicine, I had no idea where to start or who to go to for advice. It was on me to find connections, mentors, and guides to help me gather information.

One of the first individuals who encouraged my path to medicine was my pediatrician. I looked forward to going to her office so I could ask questions which she always patiently answered. She even shared some of her personal challenges and gave me advice through the years. An immigrant herself, she completed her medical degree and residency in Poland before eventually building her practice in New York. During my final appointment with her she encouraged me, saying, “Good Luck with everything you do — and don’t worry you can definitely do this.”

When I began my first year of college, I met with prehealth advisors to learn about potential paths to obtain experience and complete application requirements. In my third year, after researching my university’s organizations, I applied and was accepted into a program for women in STEM. There I met career coaches who taught me resume writing tips, how to build a professional online presence, and most importantly, connected me with other first-gen students with life experiences similar to mine. This program made me feel empowered and relieved in knowing I wasn’t alone in lacking various skills and resources. Many participants were also from minority groups and spoke about their upbringing and challenges, making me feel represented at every meeting.

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned how to find opportunities when it felt like there weren’t any. Below I’ve compiled resources I wish I’d known about earlier that might help other first-generation premeds along their path:

Social Media: Via online platforms like Instagram and Facebook, I found virtual shadowing and volunteer opportunities. Search on terms like “remote premed opportunities, virtual shadowing, online clinical experience,” etc. Many accounts are managed by medical students who share their stories of resilience and overcoming challenges. You can also search on terms like “med student, MS1-MS4, DO etc.”
Websites, Podcasts, and Blogs: Subscribe to the monthly, free, AAMC Premed Navigator newsletter for information, tips and updates on the medical school application process. Premed podcasts and blogs also feature stories of other students’ journeys, offer advice from current medical students, and review essential topics like the premed work/life balance and MCAT exam prep. Blogs, like this one, recount students’ personal experiences and touch on topics such as activism and inclusion in medicine.
Prehealth Advisors: You should seek out your college’s advising office in your first year. I started meeting with my prehealth advising office as a freshman and learned about course requirements, recommended extracurriculars, MCAT exam preparation, and tips for staying on track.
Professional Associations: Consider becoming involved with a professional association that aligns with your interests. For example, I discovered The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and I became a member and writer for their premed division blog. Later, I participated in a remote internship/ volunteer experience during the Fall 2020 semester. I took part in projects to help form new networking alliances for the AMWA, compiled spreadsheets for premed gap year opportunities, and collated lists of free professional development courses for members. I learned about the different associations premeds can join and about the various learning opportunities available.
Mentors: Finding a mentor is a great way to receive guidance. Some organizations have premed student match programs where premeds can apply to be matched with medical students. Through the AMWA, I applied to a mentorship match program and I was matched with a fourth-year medical student who regularly meets with me, tells me about her journey through medical school and shares tips about premed opportunities. She constantly reminds me how important it is to stay true to myself and my passions whether it be for work, research, or volunteering.

Today I stand proud to be Latina, representing my roots in healthcare and as a woman in STEM. I hope throughout my life to continue to help other first-generation students who may feel lost or who have faced similar barriers. Most of all, I hope for them to know that while the path to a career in medicine is a long journey, it’s not one any of us have to make alone.

1 “These Women Want to Be the Next President.” Marie Claire, 21 Feb. 2019, www.marieclaire.com/politics/a26412575/women-running-for-president-2020/.