Purpose University

More often than not, life offers us beauty, experiences, and uniqueness that we miss. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you overlook the little things—so many moments that’ll never happen again. What in your life are you missing out on because you're not paying attention? Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/196. Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/. Make history with us: www.thefirstgenshop.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are all born with an innate desire to learn. Kids go from discovering their toes, gripping, kicking, crawling, and before you know it, it's time to run. Children are like sponges for information--always anxious to learn new activities and how best to do them. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, we stop learning more than what is required of us. We begin to evade the challenges that don't fit our current skill sets and instead focus on the ones that show off our strengths. It doesn't matter how intelligent a person is; there is always room to learn more. The moment a person assumes they already know enough, that's the moment they stop growing. If you were to analyze the most successful people in the world today, the one thing that rings true for all of them is they are always learning—learning forms the core of most people's success. Don't fear it; embrace it. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/195. Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/ See acast.com/pr

The best leaders use their voice to stand up for what's right rather than what is easy. And if there's one thing that rings true every time a person stands in front of an audience to implement change is that the voice can be quite powerful. When used with the best intentions at heart, the voice is a tool that transports us into the future-- a future full of possibilities, equality, and solutions. Unfortunately, far too many people have been silenced and shamed for trying to use their voices. And this is something that needs to stop because no two voices are the same. Everybody has something different to say, but everyone's voice matters. Therefore, we all need to start using our voices for the truth and not let ourselves become silenced. No matter where you come from or the issues you want to address, we can all influence change, and sometimes that starts by being the voice of the voiceless. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/194 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.eveh

As first-gens, we all go through moments in our lives when we feel like completely giving up. In times like these, we cannot help but feel like there's no genuine reason to keep on moving. After all, what's the point in striving for something when the probability of success is almost zero? What's meant to happen will happen, right? No, the world doesn't work like that. The universe often rewards the ones who try and try again. So, don't be afraid to try again, to love again, to dream again, and to live again. Life's best lessons are often learned from the worst mistakes and the most heartbreaking moments. And when it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong, just don't stop moving-- even if it means moving in another direction. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/193 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

College is supposed to be, as they say, the best four years of your life. Students get the chance to create new friendships, memories, and experiences. Some cruise through with minimal effort, while others find it a bit of a struggle. But one thing's for sure; no two college journeys are the same. And for most undergrads, the thing that rings true is the idea of building a four-year plan: four years to graduate and get on with life. Yet, college life is never that straightforward, especially for first-gens. In 2016, Nationwide reported that the average student now takes 5.2 academic years to earn a bachelor's degree. But for our guest for today, Dr. Eady, her off-and-on journey lasted nine years. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/192 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The average age of a first-year law school student is about 24. And so when someone spends years in another profession and decides to try their hand at law later in life, it becomes a little complicated. For one, deciding to go to law school is a big decision, no matter the age. It demands huge financial commitments and significant time sacrifices. Add the age bias present in many industries and it can be challenging for older candidates to gain admission to law schools, secure internships, or find employment after graduation. But there's no doubt that it's always worth the sacrifice if a person has always wanted to practice law. While it's natural for people starting their professional life over to feel frustrated, don't let fears about being "too old" be a deterrent in deciding whether to go to law school. After all, as first-gens, we don’t follow traditional timelines. We write our own stories. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/191 Join the movement: https://jointhemovemen

According to a 2020 report by MarketWatch, only 3.7% of Google workers were Black, less than 4% at Facebook, and 7.5% at Uber. The primary argument behind this heartbreaking statistic is the notion among corporate executives that finding capable Black talent is a challenge. It’s not clear whether they even looked at all, they didn’t know where to look, or that they didn’t look hard enough. All we know is that some things need to change. Furthermore, when it comes to promoting Black leaders, the process is often reactive and not intentional. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement left shareholders rushing to promote long-serving Black employees based primarily on societal pressure. Unfortunately, this approach often causes problems when society demands a sense of urgency and the organization settles for an unqualified candidate. Yes, Black talent matters, but it should be the right talent at the right time and for the right reasons. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/190

Do Black people support each other? The answer to this hugely subjective question is both yes and no. First, Black people do support each other. In fact, they don’t just care about their families; they also care about the communities they live in. However, people in business who say Black people don't support each other often target the wrong audience. They complain that their families and friends do not support their hustle when, in fact, their products or services don't address their needs.It's no secret; businesses that help and support other people will always attract an audience that supports them the same way. But, as a business person, it's unfair to depend on family and friends to be your customers. Entrepreneurs need to find the people who are most in need of their product or service and create a mutual relationship where customers spend money on things they actually need, and the business gets to allocate resources to the right efforts. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/

According to the Kauffman Index, more than 27% of entrepreneurs in the US are immigrants despite representing only 13.5% of the population. Furthermore, 43% of the companies on the 2017 Fortune 500 list were founded or co-founded by first or second-generation immigrants. This data speaks volumes about their ability to overcome obstacles, create a life for themselves, and successfully achieve the American dream. But the question is, why is it that immigrants tend to be more entrepreneurial? Interestingly, most first-gens overcome almost similar obstacles. Patience and resilience come naturally to them, and starting with nothing demands more discipline, flexibility, and persistence than everyone else. Yet, these adversities make first-gens tough and often increases their chances of success. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/188 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Did you know that in the US, only 0.3% of students get full-ride college scholarships? With such short odds, it can seem like there’s no point in applying for scholarships. Add that to how stressful the application processes can be, applying for scholarships can seem like additional stress that students would rather live without. However, there’s nothing quite fulfilling as going through college, getting a degree, and launching a career without having to spend a cent from your pocket. And it gets better when a person starts earning without worrying about student loans. As parents, mentors, elder siblings, we have a duty to talk to high schoolers about the benefits of getting a scholarship. And a lot of times, all this starts with getting good grades and taking high school more seriously. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/09/187 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Make History with Us at The First-Gen Shop: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. See acast.com/priva

The one thing that’s consistent among all successful businesses is not their ability to attract customers; it’s the ability to spot and fill gaps in the market. Every successful business out there serves a specific market gap. And the reason they’re successful is that they create a business that provides unique and necessary products or services to willing buyers. Sadly, most aspiring first-gen entrepreneurs think too broadly when trying to close a gap in the market when the reality is it’s always better to think small when it comes to gaps in the market. The more specific a market, the more likely an entrepreneur will be able to target them effectively. Nevertheless, the market must be big enough to sustain growth and create demand. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/09/186 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Make History with Us at The First-Gen Shop: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are numerous benefits to working a corporate job. The job is often pretty well defined; employees boast a fairly good salary, health insurance, and for the most part, they don't have to worry about work once they leave the office. Sounds great, right? However, Gallup reports that only 30% of Americans are actively engaged at work. Which means most Americans wake up unhappy each morning thinking of quitting their job. Many people dream about leaving behind corporate life, but few actually make the leap. Making that massive leap comes with risks few are willing to take. The idea of giving up a steady paycheck leaves many people paralyzed with doubt of what the future holds. Yet, working just for the paycheque is not sustainable. Life is far too valuable to waste on something you don't like. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/185. Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Grab your #firstgen goodies: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. Join The Evingerlean Worldwide Fam

We all make mistakes. Some are gut-wrenching, and others are minor that nobody ever notices something happened. Regardless of the size of the mistake, the worst thing anyone can do is attempt to sweep it under the rug. It's one thing admitting an error and totally another thing crossing your fingers, praying that nobody notices. Moral people don't make futile excuses or drag other people down with them. They own up to their mistakes and acknowledge that people are not their mistakes; people are defined by how they react to them. Remember, anyone who has ever dared to be great made a mistake at some point in their life. They just didn't let their mistakes stop them from trying. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/09/184 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Make History with Us at The First-Gen Shop: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As kids, we all had dreams, aspirations, and plans for when we grow up. Some of us wanted to be doctors, engineers, astronauts, and all those other high-end professions. No matter the dreams, we all wanted to be great. But as we grew older, many of us let limiting beliefs take root. We learned to repress our dreams and started expecting less from ourselves. Our below-average expectations placed a ceiling on our ability to do more and achieve more. We got stuck in doing the bare minimum just to get by. As first-gens, this has got to change. Fortunately, it's never too late to get unstuck. And the key to getting unstuck is by having high expectations in life, business, or school. But, higher expectations mean higher demands. And higher demands mean higher quality outputs. So, be prepared for the grind and whatever comes next. But most importantly, expect more from yourself. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/08/182 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Make History wit

With a population of approximately 9.9 million people, North Carolina is the 10th most populated state. Of those 9.9 million people, close to 3.9% of adults in North Carolina live with severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. (This is according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA). What's more worrying is that only 48.2% of adults with mental illness in North Carolina seek and receive some form of treatment. The remaining 51.8% receive no mental health treatment at all. Why is that? Why is North Carolina lagging on matters of mental health? Although the private sector is making tremendous strides in combating these issues, something really needs to be done. And that involves creating solutions that help people seek help anonymously and efficiently. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/08/182 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Grab your #firstgen goodies: https://www.t

Did you know that most entrepreneurs are scared? They are scared of failing. They are scared of losing customers. They are scared that their friends were right — this was a ridiculous idea. And as intriguing as this may sound, some entrepreneurs are afraid of success. Yes, enormous amounts of success can provoke anxiety issues. So, how do the more successful first-gen entrepreneurs overcome fear? For the most part, fear is induced by a lack of knowledge and experience. Therefore, the first step would be to seek knowledge and experience from people, online resources, and friends. The second step is building the capability to take risks and embrace ventures into the unknown. Remember, the key is not in eliminating fears but rather in learning how to face them and keep showing up despite them. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/08/181 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Grab your #firstgen goodies: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. Join The Evingerlean Worldwide Famil

According to a 1986 report by the American Psychology Association, the percentage of psychology PhDs awarded to men in 1975 was nearly 70%. As of 2015, the lack of men graduating with doctorates from psychology programs was both alarming and disappointing. But what's even more worrying is the number of Black men pursuing psychology. In essence, 76% of the students in US universities that earned psychology PhDs in 2015 were White, and only 5.8% of psychology PhDs were awarded to black students. Of that 5.8%, 68% were Black females, further demonstrating that black males are woefully under-represented in the world of psychology. Why is that, and how many of them are First-Gens? Although we need to applaud women's gains in psychology, the lack of enough men is increasingly worrying. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/08/180 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Grab your #firstgen goodies: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. Join The Evingerlean Worldwide Family: https://

The past decade has seen an increase in the number of first-generation students in the U.S. attend four-year colleges and universities. This unprecedented shift is linked, in some part, to college initiatives aimed at reducing structural barriers to college access. Interestingly, social scientists believe improved educational opportunities for low-income students is among the most potent methods for stimulating upward mobility for first-gen students. But in the U.K., things are different. Although a third of the students are first-gens, not many universities take it upon themselves to identify and tackle first-gens issues. Universities only cover the bare minimum of, say, allocating scholarships to cover the costs of attending college. However, most students don't know how to budget those resources. Moreover, data from the U.S. Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics suggests that 33% of first-generation students will drop out of college in their first three years. This proves that mos

We talk a lot about success on The First-Gen Lounge, but today we are going to do something a little different. We’re talking about failure. Things aren’t always going to go right for you. I know we’re still in January, but some of you may already be falling short on your resolutions and goals, and that's okay. We have to make sure we don't get stuck in failure. Tune in today as I talk about 5 ways to face failure. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/07/178 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Grab your #firstgen goodies: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/. Join The Evingerlean Worldwide Family: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/family/. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

According to the Education Advisory Board data, 69% of first-generation college students say the main reason they attend college is to help their families. The problem is, most of these students end up feeling guilty about pursuing a college education. Furthermore, the pressure to succeed is overwhelming, and the idea of just having to finish college is stressful enough, let alone focusing on having a successful career. First-gens can't falter because somehow, it's their job to elevate themselves and their family into a bright future. But what's even more saddening is the fact that first-gen parents often have a hard time "letting go" of their children. Changes in family dynamics can be tough to maneuver. Still, parents need to understand that a college is a place of self-discovery and reflection, and not necessarily the answer to everything. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/07/177 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Grab your #firstgen goodies: ht