Name:
Jose Torres
Position Title or Student Involvements:
Student
What degrees have you obtained or are working on?
Undergraduate degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Walton College of Business
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student/graduate?
It means to go where there is no path and leave a trail for others to follow. Doing something that has never been done before is an inspiration to those around you.
Why is being a first-generation student/graduate important to you?
It’s important because new standards are being set. My parents didn’t go to high school; my older siblings graduated from high school. My older siblings didn’t go to college; I plan on graduating from college. As time goes on and as the generations pass, all we want is to live better lives. If we can’t accomplish that, then we want those that come after us to do so. Our family sacrificed their future so that we may live a better one. Please keep that in mind.
What piece of advice would you give to first-generation students?
Be bold in all that you do. Pursue your passions, and allow yourself to have fun and be embarrassed. The world is your oyster. So we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Also, don’t forget to give back.