First Generation EMBA Students Experience In Graduate School

Deciding to pursue a degree in higher education can significantly impact a student’s career and livelihood. Many first-generation college students face a mountain of challenges when they decide to pursue a degree – especially those enrolling in graduate school.

Birdo Richards III is a Walton EMBA student who holds the rank of captain with the medical services in the U.S. Army. Richards graduated with a management degree from Baylor University in 2014.

After graduation, Richards took a job with ISN Software Corporation where he eventually managed one of the largest teams in the company. Richards also works as a director at Avetta. Even with these accomplishments, Richards still faced challenges and found purpose as being the first in his family to pursue a graduate degree.

Richard’s parents encouragement helped him be the man he is today. Both parents only received a high school education. They instilled in Richards the value of higher education and the different opportunities it offered. “Be willing to put in hard work and effort, believe in yourself, manage your finances, and don’t give up,” Richards said, “I chose to pursue higher education to challenge myself and give my future children an opportunity to do things I was not able to do growing up,” he said.

Richards feels a sense of pride knowing he made the most of his opportunities and that parents’ sacrifices didn’t go to waste.

Richards capitalized on all the opportunities to apply and receive scholarships to mitigate the cost of higher education. Richards limited eating out and, going to events and trips with friends. He struggled with understanding the FASFA application.

“The military was a great stepping stone for me to be able to attend college as well,” he said. “ I likely would have struggled even more if it weren’t from the lessons I learned and educational incentives provided to ease the financial burden,”.

It’s clear Richards has a purpose, a plan, and motivation while pursuing his EMBA. He offered advice to current and future first generation students traveling on the same path he took, “Surround yourself with motivated people that are hungry to be successful, don’t let your past prevent you from realizing your future potential and know your why and start off each day like that,”.

Donavon Mcleod also is a current Walton EMBA student. He works at Tyson Foods as a senior analyst. Mcleod is responsible for driving and cultivating an emerging IT discipline called Technology Business Management. Mcleod received his undergraduate degree in sports management from Henderson State University. Getting his degree, Mcleod worked several jobs: restaurant manager, staff member of the boys and girls club, and a tennis and cross-country strength coach.

“Although the highest level of education within my immediate family is high school, I cannot say it affected my views on higher education,” he says. “Yes, there is a correlation between higher education and income and also level of income and happiness, but I believe you do not need a formal education to be a contributor to society,”. He does what makes him happy and the best use of his time.

While discussing key performance indicators for the 10 restaurants he managed, Mcleod realized he needed more knowledge to take his management career to new heights. He found the concentration offerings and the overall flexibility of the Walton EMBA program to be an advantage in achieving those new heights.

A main challenge Mcleod faced as a first generation student was a lack of social capital. Having access to a family member that attended higher education in the past would have led to Mcleod making a better decision when deciding on a major/minor. Mcleod reached out to other students and professors to gather insights about options available to him.

“Being a first-generation graduate is not a disadvantage unless you think it is,” he said. “If you do not have a family member to talk to about your academic or career plans, simply talk to other people. This could be your professors, working professionals in the field, or even your friend’s parent.”

McLeod said having self-exploration, knowing yourself, and seeking wisdom is crucial. He encourages all students to continue learning and growing no matter what the circumstances. “There is always a way. Figure it out,” he said.