Welcome to the First Gen STEM Page!
We are scientists, educators, engineers, medical professionals, researchers, and much more. Together, we want you to know that you’re not alone in your STEM journey by sharing our stories and what we wish we would’ve known. Collectively, we want you to know that we see you and we’re rooting for your success too. You got this.
Are you a first generation professional in a STEM field?
This page is brought to you by a collaboration between Dr. Kelley Le and Ms. Cindy Sevilla Esparza who are proud fellow First Generation students just like you!
Meet Kelley and Cindy!
Kelley attended LMU, CSUDH, is a two time Bruin from UCLA, and currently serves as the director of the UCI Science Project. She offers advice to fellow First Gen navigating college and teaching.
Cindy went to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo as an environmental engineer and is currently an assistant water engineer. She offers great tips on how to navigate the engineering field for fellow First Gen.
Meet First Gen Engineers!
Meet Valeria
Valeria went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is a systems engineer for NASA. She shares about her journey, challenges, and provides advice to future First Gen pursuing engineering.
Meet Saeeda
Saeeda went to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and is currently an environmental engineering associate. She shares about her journey and practical ways to succeed in schooling to fellow First Gen.
Meet Magali
Magali went to UC Berkeley for her undergrad, Cal Poly Pomona for her graduate, and is currently at CU Boulder for her doctorate degree. She is currently a product engineer. Listen to her journey in STEM and advice to fellow First Gen!
Meet Cristhian
Cristhian attended UCLA for both his undergraduate and graduate degree in aerospace engineering and is currently an engineering manager for Boeing. Listen to his leadership journey and advice to fellow First Gen.
Meet Selena
Selena attended CSULB for civil engineering and is currently an engineer for the City of Hawthorne. Listen to her journey and advice to fellow first gen who might be lacking confidence in STEM.
Meet Kyle
Kyle was born and raised in Oakland and has a degree in electrical engineering. He also interned at NASA’s Space Station Engineering Scholar program, and currently works as a sales engineer for Keyence.
Meet Jose
Jose attended UC Merced for his undergrad and is currently a bioengineer for Oncosec Immunotherapies. Learn more about his journey and the advice he has for First Gen interested in pursuing this unique field.
Meet Yen
Yen attended UC San Diego for her undergrad and is currently a Mechanical Engineer. Listen to her share about her experiences and advice on overcoming imposter syndrome.
Meet First Gen Researchers & IT Specialists!
Meet Ryan
Ryan went to CSU Long Beach and is currently working to become a researcher and professor with a focus on drug addiction. He shares about his journey, research efforts, and provides tips to fellow First Gen.
Meet Afif
Afif attended Sac State, SA college, CSUDH, and Colorado State and is currently working as an Information Technology Specialist. Listen to him share his journey into IT and advice for other First Gen.
Meet First Gen Medical Professionals!
Meet Dr. Kiro
Dr. Kiro went to UC Riverside and is a physician! He has some great tips to offer fellow First Gen to succeed in schooling and move toward the medical path.
Meet Dr. Calvin
Dr. Calvin went to UCI School of humanities, UCLA, LA Southwest Community College, and Howard University College of Medicine. He is currently in his fourth year of his residency at UCLA and has a lot to share with our First Gen.
Meet Dr. Jenny
Dr. Jenny went to USC for her undergrad and is currently at UCI for medical school. Hear more about her journey and her advice to fellow First Gen.