Author | Lightnews

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · 5d

“Throughout college, I continued to work at the Superstore. In between customers, I’d read philosophy. I remember the whiplash of moving from Wittgenstein’s Tractatus in one moment to refunding protein bars the next.” #firstgen #celebratefirstgen #phd #academia @firstgenphilos.bsky.social

#first-genphilosophers @firstgenphilos.bsky.social · Aug 15

NEW POST!
"On Feeling Awkward and Finding Your People"
By Arianna Falbo

firstgenphilosophers.squarespace.com/contribution...

#firstgenphilosophers

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · 10d

Great advice to #firstgen from @unlawfulentries.bsky.social Think longer term. Prep your future.

#firstgencollegestudents #celebratefirstgen

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · 10d

But despite not knowing initially, she did figure it out! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Thanks to @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social for sharing these #firstgen lived experiences with us. #celebratefirstgen #edu #firstgenprofessional

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · 13d

🎙️ This week on The FirstGen Lounge, Abby MacDonald talks with Yessica, a career counselor who missed out on campus opportunities simply because no one told her they were there.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/1uDH...

#F#FirstGenC#CareerCounselorH#HigherEd

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · 26d

smart! @jdtramantano.bsky.social

Professor on Your Side @jdtramantano.bsky.social · Mar 10

Transparent sticky notes are my jam. Highly underrated. A lot of high school students still have paper textbooks they can’t write in! Clear sticky notes allow students to be active readers and annotate without inking up the book! #studyskills #literacy #reading

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Sep 30

So true for many FirstGens.

“You only need one person to believe in you”

says Abaigh MacDonald in this podcast from The FirstGen Lounge. #celebrateFirstGens #WomeninSTEM #FirstGen #FirstGensuccess #STEM

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Sep 28

🎙️ This week on The FirstGen Lounge, our host Abaigh becomes the interviewee and shares her story! 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/5M5u... #F#FirstGenW#WomenInSTEMU#UCIRvineP#Podcasting#T#TheFirstGenLounge� #U#UCIRvine

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Sep 24

All #FirstGenProud 🙏

#FirstGen #celebrateFirstGens

FirstGens, You Belong Here! @inpersonplus.bsky.social · Jul 30

We’re sharing a series of snapshots to celebrate all the incredible people we met at NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education! Whether you're a FirstGen student, professional, or advocate, thank you for stopping by 💛
#FirstGen #CelebrateFirstGen #InPersonPlus #NASPA #SSHE25

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Sep 22

And today law professor in NYC 👏👏👏 @reneenicoleallen.bsky.social #firstgen #celebratefirstgen #firstgenprofessional

Renee Nicole @reneenicoleallen.bsky.social · Aug 23

Me at @UFLaw orientation 13 years ago. A #firstgen law student in my first suit a bit nervous but mostly excited about the challenges ahead. #FlashbackFriday

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Sep 20

“Not knowing” is a constant in a FirstGen’s life. But they manage to address it and still become very successful, like Lorena.

#celebratefirstgen #firstgen #engineer

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Sep 13

🎙️ Lorena Martinez didn’t know what chemical engineering really was when she chose it, but she turned uncertainty into impact.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6xA3...
#F#FirstGenU#UCIC#ChemicalEngineering

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Sep 11

That’s a great first post Donna! 👏
@donna-l-smith.bsky.social #firstgen #mentalhealth

Donna Smith @donna-l-smith.bsky.social · Aug 14

My first Bluesky post... 🎉

The 'First Generation Students UK: Mental Health Matters' website is now live - so proud and grateful to everyone who has contributed so far 🥰
www.firstgenerationstudentsuk.com

#firstgen #firstinfamily #FGS #studentmentalhealth

Photo of a website called First Generation Students UK: Mental Health Matters

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Sep 11

It’s a moment that hits home for many FirstGen creatives—the realization that while others grow up with insider knowledge, you’re learning the industry from scratch.

Jordan Allen shares his journey.

#FirstGen #FirstGenSuccess #CelebrateFirstGen

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Sep 6

🎙️ This week on The FirstGen Lounge, Jordan Allen, a southern soul artist, share how he learned the music industry from scratch and built a brand rooted in faith, family, and retro soul.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/2oZI...

#F#FirstGenS#SingerSongerwriterS#SoulArtist

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 30

That’s the FirstGen mindset: we will figure it out!
#firstgen #firstgensuccess #celebratefirstgen #academia #latina #stem

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Jul 21

🎙️ This week on The FirstGen Lounge: She didn’t know what internships were or how to network—but she figured it out anyway. Anna Mercado shares what no one tells FirstGen students.
🎧https://open.spotify.com/episode/1xM3TZw3BbN4mJNiqnSmC2?si=lJRHbamYQc6rXkmwMGTpig

#FirstGenSuccess #LatinaInSTEM

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 25

Wishing all FirstGens success in taking this new step in life 👏👏👏 You can do it!

#firstgen #firstgencollegestudent #celebratefirstgen

Dave W. Recovering X-phile @germjuggler.bsky.social · Aug 24

The day before classes. Got to visit with our #Trailblazer #FirstGen students. Lots of great advice. #MissouriSandT

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 19

"Those of us that pursue our doctorate, it's not that we're smarter than anyone else, it's that we keep going. We fall down, we get back up, and we sacrifice."

So well said. Worth a listen of the whole episode.

#firstgen #PhD #firstgensuccess

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Aug 6

🎙️Resilience. Kindness. Persistence. This week on The FirstGen Lounge, hear how Lori Marie went from almost giving up on college to mentoring the next generation.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4mLV...

#FirstGen #MSUDenver

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 19

👍 @timmyfromtheblock.bsky.social #firstgen

Tim Mosca (but not the one you know) @timmyfromtheblock.bsky.social · Jan 19

hello all #firstgen and #firstgenacademic folk! here's a fun story of how clueless i was: when i went to college, all i knew was that to do cool bio research, you had to get a phd. and that required lots of school. so i thought i was clever (you'll see in a minute why i wasn't).

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 10

Yup, that’s a very common thing to happen to FirstGens. Not knowing you are a FirstGen. And hence missing out on opportunities like scholarships for FirstGens.

Listen to the full episode!

#firstgen #scholarships #firstgencollegestudent

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Aug 4

🎙️ This week on The First Ten Lounge: Mya Jones didn’t know she was FirstGen—until a flyer in the mail changed everything.
🎧https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DWRC6RyyQGzLJoxFLLjwf?si=YmjI_BRbRSq-1p5RzGHu9A
#FirstGen #CollegeJourney

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 10

FirstGen advancing other FirstGens 👏👏👏 @ajdiazphd.bsky.social #firstgen #firstgensuccess

Dr. Arnaldo Díaz @ajdiazphd.bsky.social · Jul 17

As a first-generation college student, building a network was not an easy task. Now that I’ve come a long way, I make it a priority to leverage my network to support other first-generation individuals embarking on their own professional paths. #FirstGen

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 8

Congratulations Doctor! 👍👍👍 @blkgrlpoet.bsky.social

#firstgen #celebratefirstgen #firstgensuccess

Dr. Angel C. Dye @blkgrlpoet.bsky.social · Aug 6

Came back to change my name on here because…she’s a doctor now! 🥹 #PhD #firstgen

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 3

Tell your husband that other FirstGens are congratulating him for this fantastic achievement on BlueSky @karagavin.bsky.social

And that @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social wants to interview him, but only if he joins here 😜

#firstgen #celebratefirstgen @inpersonplus.bsky.social

Kara Gavin @karagavin.bsky.social · Aug 1

Very proud of my husband for being named chair of physics at @waynestateclas.bsky.social after a year as interim!

Now I just have to persuade him to join this platform...

clas.wayne.edu/news/wayne-s...

Sean Gavin, Ph.D., chair of physics at Wayne State University in Detroit

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Aug 3

Another type of FirstGens adventure.

After a Masters in Belgium for $5,000 (yes, 5) he learned to adjust to the USA while working at Microsoft.

#firstgen #firstgensuccess #celebratefirstgen #firstgenprofessional #AI

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Jul 28

🎙️ From Belgium to Microsoft.
Jethro Seghers left with 2 bags, no plan—just passion. Listen to Jethro’s story on The FirstGen Lounge at open.spotify.com/episode/3for...

#FirstGen #Microsoft #AI

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Jul 27

Great advice!

#Happiness #BeYou

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Jul 25

An inspiring podcast episode with prof. @drustevenson.bsky.social

Only one in his family to go to college. As a typical #FirstGen, not knowing people prepare for SAT, not knowing one key step is making all the difference in becoming a lawyer.

+ Reasons why going to college is valuable.

Listen!

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Jul 14

🎙️This week on The FirstGen Lounge: What if no one told you the rules—but you still made it? Professor Dru Stevenson shares stories of law, grit, and showing up anyway.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6c7e...

#FirstGenForward #LawProfessor

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Jul 25

It’s exactly why we started www.inpersonplus.com

FirstGens ourselves we very well know what it means to be the first in your family on that new path. And the consequences of not asking for help.

To keep it simple we set up a concierge service. Like at a hotel. Need help, just ask.

#FirstGen

Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Jul 15

Yes 💯 #firstgen #celebratefirstgen #firstgenstudents

Dr. Arnaldo Díaz @ajdiazphd.bsky.social · Jul 6

First-gen students, speaking from my own experience, I know how overwhelming and frustrating it can be when your first career choice doesn’t fulfill your whole self. Just know — it’s completely okay to change direction as you discover paths you never knew existed. #FirstGen

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Jul 13

It’s Bastille Day tomorrow July 14th. A great moment to hear this French guy’s story ending up in New York City and now making the jump to #entrepreneurship with his own company advising and helping companies on using #AI in a useful way.

#firstgen #firstgenprofessional #celebratefirstgen #startup

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Jul 7

🎙️ Join us on The FirstGen Lounge with Remi Taffin, a tech leader turned entrepreneur! Discover his journey from France to founding Hundredfold Growth, an AI venture for small businesses.
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/0yhP...
#FirstGen #FirstGenSuccess #CelebrateFirstGen #AI #Entrepreneurship

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Dany DeGrave, FirstGen @inpersonplus.com · Jul 12

Great episode with FirstGen Jill Tracy, from PeaceCorps to Microsoft and beyond.

#firstgen #celebratefirstgen #firstgenprofessional

The FirstGen Lounge @thefirstgenlounge.bsky.social · Jun 25

🎙️On the FirstGen Lounge, we have Jill Tracy — global leader, Peace Corps alum, former Microsoft exec, and now CEO of United Planet. A powerful episode about seeing potential early and leading with heart.
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6FLM...
#FirstGenSuccess #AttitudeOfGratitude