Building Healthier Communities: Alison Paxtor’s Career Path in Public Health
Now, catching up with her three years after earning her bachelor’s degree in health sciences from California State University, East Bay, Alison Paxtor is still filled with dedication to her community and impact in the public health and healthcare industry.
My Motivation: My Drive to Advance Health Equity for All
First-gen college grad Alison Paxtor shares about her purpose and motivation in her public health and healthcare career as well as how she overcame challenges in college to reach her career goals post-grad.
Pitch Perfect: My Tips on How to Discover Your Voice in Public Relations
Loyola Marymount grad Chaylah Williams shares five lessons from PR, social media, and sports media internships.
Making Waves College Graduates Cross the Finish Line with Confidence and Courage
The class of 2025 shares their inspiring college journeys, post-grad plans – from sports PR to vaccine development – and how Making Waves helped them thrive through challenges, internships, and community impact.
From Opportunity to Job Offer: A First-Gen Latina’s Path to Deloitte
Elaine Fernandez Bravo (she/her) shares her story pursuing internships, earning her college degree, finding confidence and her sense of belonging in the business world.
Waves of Change: Stories of Men of Color in Higher Education
Education should be a bridge to opportunities rather than a barrier. We hope this conversation helps current and future college students feel understood, connected, and inspired.
Más de 10 años de colaboración con Making Waves para la familia Romero
“Ser parte de Making Waves cambió mi trayectoria”, dice Enrique Romero. “No tendría la formación para poder ir a la universidad”, explica él, graduado de la licenciatura en sociología por Pitzer College en California y de la maestría en políticas educativas por Harvard University en Massachusetts. Gracias al apoyo incondicional de sus padres y al acompañamiento de Making Waves, Enrique pudo tomar decisiones que lo llevaron a un futuro diferente.
From internships to job offers: financial and career benefits of internships during college
A first-generation college grad, Elaine Fernandez completed five internships during college to explore fields like finance, marketing, and real estate. With her college degree in hand without any student loan debt, Elaine is now an engagement financial advisor. She is sharing her college and career story and her advice for the next generation of college grads.
Knowledge about money and finances, one conversation at a time
The conversational series spotlights experiences and lessons learned around money topics to make this information more accessible, especially for first-generation college students and graduates.
A Wave-Maker’s Journey Researching Machismo Culture and Mental Health
As a sociology major at California State University, Stanislaus, Jezebelle Maldonado (she/her) chose an undergraduate research topic that wasn’t just about academics. It was personal. Now a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree to her name, Jezebelle is working in the healthcare field as a behavior technician and is considering a master’s degree in the future. “One thing I am taking with me from college is to not be afraid to build connections,” she said
Fashion is exploration
A first-gen college grad, Avery Tomlin (he/him) chats about changing his college major and exploring his different career paths and passions – including fashion design – during college.
Unlocking Potential Through Honest Conversations: The Coach-Student Relationship
From navigating the first week of college to negotiating a first job offer, conversations between students and coaches cover many topics. A coach becomes a student’s trusted advocate, their cheerleader, the person they turn to for both wins and failures, and a person they trust to help plan their future.