A First-Generation Journey from NYC to Tampa

Growing up in Brooklyn and attending a public charter school, I learned early on that education wasn’t just about getting good grades. Prioritizing school would empower me to make informed decisions about my future and offer me choices otherwise unavailable.  Even though I would be a first-generation college student, my teachers and counselors instilled in me a deep belief that attending college would be invaluable.

When the time came to apply for colleges, the City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) systems dominated every conversation. As a New York resident, I knew the basics and my guidance counselor even called them my “safety net” schools.

That was also when I first heard about return on investment. The guidance counselor told me I’d get a “bigger bang for my buck” and years later, using my team’s Price-to-Earnings Premium (PEP) tool, I saw exactly what she meant: most students are CUNYs earn back their tuition within a few months to a year, while at many SUNYs, it takes about two to four years. 

However, I had a different vision for myself. I wanted to leave New York and see what else was out there while still making sure my education would lead to strong outcomes after graduation.

That’s when I came across the University of Tampa, where the palm trees and the Hillsborough River setting first caught my eye, but what convinced me to commit to the school went much deeper. UTampa offered support programs for first-generation and low-income students, generous financial aid packages, an expansive professional network, small class sizes with professors who actually knew their students 

On top of that, most graduates recoup the cost of tuition within five years—relieving some of my concerns about student debt. I didn’t want to trap myself in a lifetime of loans, and UTampa made it possible to invest in my education without sacrificing my future.

Once I got there, I made sure to take advantage of the resources the college offers: the career services center, the first-year support programs that created a community before classes even began, and the mentorship opportunities that shaped both my academic and personal growth.

By graduation, I was more than ready to step into my first job with AmeriCorps. Looking back now, I can see just how much value the university added to my life—in academics, personal growth, and professional opportunities. Four years after graduating, I still have some manageable loans, but I’m steadily paying them down. Choosing UTampa was an investment in my future, and it’s one I’m glad I made.