The First Gen Coach: Career Development for Latinas and First Gen Professionals

In episode 30 of The First Gen Coach, host Carla Santamaria discusses how to get your resume to the top of the pile by leveraging LinkedIn. Carla explains how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, how you can be proactive on the platform without being creepy or fake, and how you can make LinkedIn work for you. In this episode, we also covered: Why workplace emotional safety is a prerequisite for buil...

In this episode of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria illustrates three deeply empowering beliefs that first gen professionals can adopt as they transition into the private sector. Your beliefs about your career affect: How you show up in job interviews How you show up in applications How you show up to leadership opportunities Be open to the power of believing in yourself and in y...

The First Gen Coach Podcast is back for a third season! In this episode, host Carla Santamaria dives deep into the ways that first gen professionals can be unapologetic about their leadership excellence, and why and how that must be showcased on your resume. We also discussed: The essential resume upgrades that first gen professionals must make in 2023 The unique factors that make first gen profes...

In episode 27 of The First Gen Coach, host Carla Santamaria breaks down the societal forces that socialize women of color into low-paying jobs in social services, education, and the nonprofit sector. Carla details the urgency for WOC to leave these jobs, which, in addition to paying near poverty wages, also require a self-sacrificial mindset and have unrealistic workload expectations that harm a W...

In episode 26 of The First Gen Coach, host Carla Santamaria interviewed Alejandra Carbajal, a first generation professional who successfully made the transition from the nonprofit sector into the private sector, and fast-tracking her financial and personal goals along the way. In this episode, we discussed: How a love for working with students has fueled Alejandra’s career Why talking about salary...

In episode 25 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria shares the three strategies her clients used to secure $159k in salary increases. And they did this without getting additional degrees or joining a coding bootcamp. Plus, why the so-called "Sunday Scaries" are NOT something you have to accept.  Are you ready for clarity in your career? Download the FREE 21-Day Career Cla...

In episode 24 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria talks with Life in Recovery Coach Jaz Murudumbay about her experiences as a Canadian-born daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, unhealthy coping mechanisms for workplace stress, and why First Gens need to change the narrative around alcohol use.  PLUS: The cultural stigma that affects how Latinas/the Latinx community relate to alcoho...

In episode 23 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria talks with Life Coach and Retreat Host Vero Estrada about landing--and losing--her dream job in private banking, and how she has since transformed her life after that pivotal experience. PLUS: The perils of seeking external validation How self-love can become a habit and a practice The pressure of being the ONLY Central American y...

In episode 22 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria provides a framework to answer tough interview questions. Surprisingly, it's not all about technical skills or even "enhancing" the truth. You can (and should!) answer interview questions honestly while AT THE SAME TIME position yourself as the best candidate for the job! Listen to learn how. Are you ready to fast track your caree...

In episode 21 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria chats with Lea Landaverde, a First-Generation, Queer, Latina Financial Professional and Activist and founder of La Riqueza Collective. Listen to learn what the hidden workplace curriculum is, how to navigate it, and how to be strategic with your career so that it becomes a tool for building wealth. Are you ready to double your sal...

In episode 20 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, host Carla Santamaria dives deep into the trending phenomenon of quiet quitting. Listen to learn what quiet quitting is, what it isn't, and how you as a first gen professional can be strategic in the workplace in order to advance your career, increase your income, AND maintain healthy boundaries that protect your mental health and well-being. Sign up f...

In episode 19 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla expands the conversation about the influence that organized religion has in the workplace, and how that influence affects whether you can show up to work as your authentic self. This is specially true for children of immigrants and first generation professionals. Sign up for updates and receive a FREE 21-Day Career Clarity Challenge ! Remember to...

In episode 18 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla opens up about her experience disaffiliating from Mormonism, the stalking and harassment she endured from a fellow congregant, and why she ultimately left a religion she could no longer align herself with. Plus, what being a survivor of institutional abuse means for setting boundaries in the workplace. Content Warning This episode contains mentio...

In episode 17 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla talks about five things people managers can do to prevent causing harm to their direct reports. This episode was inspired by the responses submitted to the question "What do you wish you could say to your former manager?" Those responses included many examples of harm and workplace trauma, such as "because of you, I experienced my first panic att...

In episode 16 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla talks about perfectionism in the workplace, why the need to be "perfect" is actually hindering your career progression, and how to stop comparing your career journey to others. Plus, why mentally and energetically releasing the things "should be doing" and the things you "should have done" will make you UNSTOPPABLE in reaching your career and lif...

In episode 15 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla talks with Joselyn about how she can overcome imposter syndrome as a first generation professional, as a working mother, and as a Latina engineer in a male-dominated environment. Plus : How to focus on your STRENGTHS, the results you can deliver to your team, and the impact you can have in your community. Do you want to receive 1:1 support while...

In episode 14 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla replays an IG live about the workplace trauma. This topic is often taboo, but we must break the silence and raise awareness about the harm that toxic workplaces can truly cause. From subtle signs like anxiety before check-ins with your boss, to straightforward events like ending up in the hospital from workplace stress, trauma in the workplace is...

In episode 13 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla shares 5 signs it's time to make a change in your career. The signs range from subtle and easy to miss, to huge red flashing neon warnings that it's time to make a change NOW. Plus, why JOY is one of the most important yet overlooked factors in career planning. Are you ready to take your career to the next level and fast track your way to six-fig...

In episode 12 of The First Gen Coach Podcast, Carla talks with Rocio about how she can increase confidence in her skills and herself as she prepares to interview for the next step up in her career. Plus: Reframing the common fears that arise around job interviews Addressing the weight of cultural, family, and community expectations that first gen professionals bring to the job interview How to rem...

In this episode, I address one of the most common topics I get asked about as a career coach: salary negotiations. I share some of the techniques I used that helped me negotiate a salary that was 20% MORE than an employer's initial offer, and when, even after negotiating, it's okay to walk away. Listen to learn:  WHY you yourself are actually the first person you must negotiate your salary with WH...

The fourth and final episode of the career success mini-series is finally here! I discuss why networking can feel so gross, and how to take the ick factor out of networking so you can build genuine connections. BONUS: I will be partnering with The Mujerista to host a workshop this Thursday, February 17th at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. Register here. See you there! Remember to follow @CarlaTheFirstGenCoach on...

This is the third episode in the Career Success mini-series, and I discuss the different ways imposter syndrome can show up for first-gen professionals, and what you can do to overcome it. Key Takeaways:  You are worthy of pursuing your dreams You deserve to celebrate your accomplishments Asking for help means you are self-aware enough to recognize what you need to succeed BONUS: The first FREE ma...

This is the second episode in the Career Success mini-series, and it is a deep dive into three powerful mindset shifts you can adopt to for successful goal-setting. Learn why SMART goals may not yield the outcomes you are seeking, and what actions you can take instead. 2022 is your year for career clarity and success! Email carla@thefirstgencoach.com to receive your FREE 21-Day Career Clarity Road...

This episode kicks on the 4-part career success miniseries, and it is focused on self-love and reflection. Learn two foundational self-love elements that will help you reflect on 2021 with kindness and grace. Then, I share several reflection prompts to help you learn from your 2021 experiences and thrive in the new year and beyond. 2022 is your year for career clarity and success! Email carla@thef...

Hi friends! Thanks to a phenomenal first season, I realized that my higher calling is to highlight the experiences of first-gen professional Latinas and women of color, and to help them thrive and build community in their careers and beyond. And so, the First-Gen Coach was born! In this episode, I speak about the direction of the show, and share plans for this season going into the new years.  202...