'Echale Ganas': The Struggles of First-Generation Latinx Students

There is a variety of issues and struggles Latinx Immigrants go through every day; however, let us not forget about the struggle of first-generation Latinx Students of Immigrant parents. First-generation status influences college students' experiences as they relate to social mobility and both educational inequality and assimilation. Looking into sociological perspectives, we’ll learn how class, race, and immigration status apply to the challenges that first-generation students face in their academic journey. Inadequate mentorship, implicit bias, and under-resourced schools create inequalities for minority students seeking academic success and opportunities regarding educational stratification. We focus on analyzing family support, support networks through siblings, and how community and institutional resources influence students and their academic pathways. Initial results indicate that although first-generation students face significant barriers, they build unique strategies and find the resources that will lead them to success, such as networking, guidance, and mentorship. Being able to understand the struggles first-generation students go through in the academic journey, will bring awareness to academic institutions to better assist their students. Understanding the struggles of first-generation students in the academic journey not only fosters empathy but also empowers us to create involvement and equal educational opportunities for everyone.