First-Generation College Grad Shares Touching Thanks To Parents For ‘Sacrifices, Unconditional Support’

More Stories like:

Experiencing Firsts

Graduation season is a time of celebration and pride. Friends and family gather around to recognize the accomplishment and degree. For first generation college students, this event comes with even more excitement and pride.

Melanie Montejano moved to the United States with her family when she was six. She didn’t speak English, and had to deal with a lot of ‘firsts’ in a new country. In May, she graduated college with a degree in Engineering. Her parents’ sacrifices and support got her here.

A young girl smiles at the camera
Courtesy of Melanie Montejano

“In many ways, when I earned my degree from Sam Houston State University, on Saturday, my parents graduated with me,” she says in a heartfelt post on LinkedIn. “I owe my diploma to their unconditional support, and to the courage they had to move to this country to provide a better life for our family. I am so proud to be a first generation college graduate!”

Melanie’s parents have taught her some of her biggest lessons, and she is very grateful for their sacrifices to get her where she is today. Her family motivates and inspires her to keep pushing and growing.

Advertisement

“My family members are some of the loudest people you could probably come across, but in a good way and are always down to have a good time. They are fun, caring, supportive, good listeners, and most importantly loving,” Melanie tells Love What Matters.

A family poses in front of a Christmas tree
Courtesy of Melanie Montejano

“They inspire me because they are always there to support, to love, to listen, and of course I would not have had the opportunity to have my career without my dad’s hard work,” she says. “I have worked so hard to show them that their sacrifices as immigrants were worth it.”

A man lays on a couch while his daughter stands next to him
Courtesy of Melanie Montejano

Overcoming Obstacles

Melanie’s life as a first generation immigrant and student has not been without struggles. She speaks on her first years in the US as difficult and full of new experiences.

“I remember the fear of not knowing what would happen and the challenges I would face. It was a lot of my family’s first times,” Melanie tells Love What Matters. “First times are difficult because you have no one to guide you.”

Advertisement

In college, she had to go through similar experiences again, experiencing a lot of ‘firsts’ and navigating a new field. Beyond normal growing experiences, Melanie felt a lot of guilt surrounding her experiences, which impacted her experience greatly.

A girl in graduation regalia poses with her mom
Courtesy of Melanie Montejano

“Many children of immigrants often feel guilt for many reasons like not being enough or for seeming ungrateful. I think mine is more of ‘thriver’s guilt’ or the guilt of growing,” Melanie says. “I feel so much guilt of growing, healing, accessing resources and opportunities that my parents did not have. I feel guilty about the place I get to live in and the trips I want to take, because my parents did not have that.”

A woman and man cut the cake on their wedding day
Courtesy of Melanie Montejano

Starting A Career

By beginning to work through these things, Melanie has gained a new respect and understanding for her parents. As she gets older, the family has become closer, and she remains grateful to them for many of her successes.

Advertisement

Her experience in college also led her to finding a career and degree she enjoys and is passionate about. After graduating, she accepted a job as a Heavy Civil Field Engineer.

A girl poses with a pink hard had on
Courtesy of Moments of Grace Photography

“I chose my career because it is a creative profession, it gives you the opportunity to solve problems and design things that really matter, things that make the world a better place in which to live,” Melanie tells Love What Matters.

She hopes to one day go back to school and get her Master’s Degree, but for now is excited to continue to learn and grow. Her story shows the importance of her parent’s sacrifices and the ways that passion, love, and hard work will take you far.

A woman smiles for a headshot
Courtesy of LADD Photography

This article was written exclusively for Love What Matters by Anna Steingruber. Follow Melanie Montejano on Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Advertisement

Read More Stories Like This:

‘Maybe college just isn’t for you,’ they said.’: Woman with schizoaffective disorder celebrates college graduation

‘Last night I asked my student what he plans to do post-graduation. ‘I’m just going to community college.’ My heart sank.’: Teacher urges ‘what you choose to do post-grad should will always make us proud’

Do you know somebody who would like this story?  SHARE this story on Facebook.

Subscribe to our Living Better newsletter.

Your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence-backed advice, and captivating personal stories propelling you towards a more fulfilling life.

     Share  Tweet
    Logo

    Looks like your ad blocker is on.

    ×

    We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

    Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

    Continue without supporting us

    Choose your Ad Blocker

    • Adblock Plus
    • Adblock
    • Adguard
    • Ad Remover
    • Brave
    • Ghostery
    • uBlock Origin
    • uBlock
    • UltraBlock
    • Other
    1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
    2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
    3. Click refresh
    1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
    2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
    1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
    2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
    1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
    2. Click "Disable on This Website"
    1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
    2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
    1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
    2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
    3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
    4. Refresh the page
    1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
    2. Click on the big, blue power button
    3. Refresh the page
    1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
    2. Click on the big, blue power button
    3. Refresh the page
    1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
    2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
    1. Please disable your Ad Blocker
    2. Disable any DNS blocking tools such as AdGuardDNS or NextDNS

    If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).