Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of First Gen 101, Miguel interviews Katie Leiva about career growth, networking, and life after college. Katie shares how her mother’s journey from Cuba shaped her family’s commitment to education.

She reflects on changing career path, pivoting into student affairs, and landing her first job at Vanderbilt after attending a professional conference. As a military spouse, she learned to adapt, reinventing herself when needed before building a career as an Accredited Financial Counselor who now trains financial coaches.

 Katie offers practical networking advice, encourages exploring new professional opportunities, and defines success as meaningful work, continuous learning, and having the courage to seek change. 

00:00 Welcome to First Gen 101 + What This Episode Covers

00:28 Katie’s First-Gen Story: Cuban Roots & Family’s Path to North Carolina

02:19 College to Grad School: Loving Learning, Then Questioning Academia

04:45 Landing the First Job: Mentors, Professional Orgs & the Conference Breakthrough

08:01 Marriage, Moving to California & Rebuilding a Career on the Fly

10:39 Military Spouse Mindset: Reinvention, Resources & Staying Resume-Ready

12:25 Finding the Right Fit: From Student Affairs to Financial Coaching & Teaching

15:14 Discovering the “Universe of Opportunities”: Professional Orgs & Exploration

17:33 Conference Networking Playbook (Even for Introverts)

22:39 Career Growth Skills: Seeing the Big Picture & Building Internal Networks

24:53 Redefining Long-Term Success: Pride, Fulfillment & Continuous Learning

25:51 Final Reflections: Advice to Younger Self, Biggest Achievement & Closing

🔔 Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on:
📱 Facebook: First Gen 101
📸 Instagram: @firstgen101podcast
🎵 TikTok: @firstgen101
🌐 Website: podcast.firstgen101.com

🎤 Do you want to be a podcast guest or know someone with an inspiring story who should be on the podcast?
📧 Send an email to [email protected]

🙏 Thank you for listening! Please leave a ⭐️ rating and review!