Let’s be honest: navigating academic life can feel like walking a tightrope between personal growth and external expectations. For me, the journey has been a whirlwind of late nights, highlighters running dry, and a constant internal dialogue questioning if I’m doing enough. Growing up as a first-generation college student, education wasn’t just a personal endeavor—it felt like the culmination of my family’s sacrifices. This added a layer of pressure to not only succeed but to excel. Every grade, every award, every acknowledgment became a measure of validation that I was on the right track, that I was honoring the opportunities my parents dreamed of for me.
Finding Balance
Through my journey, I’ve learned that while validation can be motivating, it shouldn’t define my self-worth. True fulfillment comes from pursuing knowledge for its own sake, not just for the applause that might follow. Now, I strive to focus on what education means to me—a chance to grow, to connect with others, and to build a future I’m proud of. The external recognition is still nice, but it’s no longer the sole purpose of my efforts.
A Work in Progress
Am I perfect at this yet? Absolutely not. There are still moments when I find myself slipping back into old habits, seeking external validation to quiet the doubts in my mind. But I’m learning to celebrate my wins—big or small—not because someone else deems them worthy, but because I know the effort it took to achieve them. This journey isn’t about proving anything to anyone anymore. It’s about finding joy in the process and defining success on my own terms. If you’ve ever felt the same, know that you’re not alone. Academic life is tough, but it’s also transformative. Give yourself grace, and remember: your worth isn’t measured by grades, awards, or titles—it’s in the way you show up and persevere every day.
Honors MBA Student Kim Gonzalez
In the realm of higher education, stories of determination, resilience, and the Coyote spirit often emerge. Kim Gonzalez, an honors Master of Business Administration (MBA) student set to graduate in May 2024, embodies these qualities. As the first in her family to pursue higher education, Gonzalez is a trailblazer, breaking barriers her parents, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico, could only have imagined. Her decision to attend CSUSB for her bachelor’s degree was inspired by her father's admiration for the university, a place he often dreamed of as he drove by its campus.
“My dad would drive by the university and admire the buildings,” Gonzalez shared. “He has always inspired me, and I wanted to attend CSUSB as much for him as for myself.”
Growing up, Gonzalez absorbed invaluable lessons in determination and discipline from her parents, which laid the foundation for her tenacity. As a teenager, she immersed herself in martial arts, rising from a student to an instructor after earning her black belt. Under the guidance of her martial arts mentors, she explored literature on self-development and leadership.
“At my martial arts academy, we had tenets to follow: perseverance, self-control, courtesy (respect for others and oneself), patience, discipline, and indomitable spirit,” Gonzalez explained. “I learned those at a young age, and they’ve been some of the biggest influences on my life.”
While in college, where she majored in child development, Gonzalez ventured into entrepreneurship by starting a small online beauty tools business. To her surprise, her online shop thrived during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by her success, she began teaching herself marketing skills through LinkedIn Learning and discovered a passion for the field, which led her to pursue further education in business.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Gonzalez chose to pursue a business graduate degree at CSUSB. The university's inclusive and supportive environment gave her the confidence to take risks. Echoing the indomitable spirit instilled in her by her parents and martial arts training, she applied to the MBA program with a concentration in marketing management—and was accepted.
Gonzalez’s accomplishments, from earning her black belt to excelling as an honors graduate student and serving as president of the American Marketing Association campus club, hold profound significance. They represent not only personal triumphs but also the fulfillment of dreams her parents envisioned when they migrated to the United States.
Set to receive her MBA, Gonzalez is already demonstrating the transformative power of education as a social media manager. Her journey is a beacon of hope for her family, inspiring younger relatives who proudly wear CSUSB T-shirts she’s gifted them, envisioning a future full of possibilities.
To other first-generation students, her advice is simple yet powerful: “Never stop believing in yourself.” It’s not just a mantra for academic success but a rallying cry for those from humble beginnings, striving to create a better future.
Gonzalez, a first-generation college and graduate student, is not just shaping her future at CSUSB; she’s rewriting the narrative for generations to come.