The piece you are about to read is an insightful experience of a First Gen TLU Student, Sydney Jordan, a sophomore majoring in International Business and the new Social Media Manager of Wave Consulting Solutions. This article will be a part of a literary unit I’m creating; drawing attention to social experiences, perspectives, and theories that pertain to what is deemed unconventional at best. My overall goal is to speak on topics that I once experienced social isolation from and cultivate educational conversation in hopes that other individuals can connect to and feel seen in. Without further boring explanation, let me give the stage to Miss Sydney.
What first interested you about International Business and what made you decide to pursue it?
When I first applied to TLU, I was interested in nursing. This dream quickly came to an end as I realized I didn’t like blood all that much. I began to realize in my senior year during my Economics course that business was something fascinating to me. I originally applied for the Economics program, but it had been discontinued at TLU. I wanted a degree that was similar that dealt with Macroeconomics and international travel. The International Business degree checked all boxes for me, and it gave me the opportunity to see the world, one place at a time. This summer I also added an additional Management degree to equip me with the best skills for the workplace.
How did you come across this opportunity?
As a freshman, I attended the “Fetch Your Future” event. It was a speed networking event for students to connect with alumni and job opportunities in the area. During the different speed rounds of networking, I met Tony Benware, an alumnus. He also majored in International Business at TLU. As we began to talk, we realized our interests aligned and that he possibly had a spot available for an intern. Through TLU network and LinkedIn, we had further conversations about me being brought on to the team to learn from him and other consultants. May 29th was the first official date of the internship at Wave Consulting Solutions, Tony’s HR outsourcing company based in the U.S Virgin Islands.
How would you best describe your position?
At the time, I was a remote HR intern that also learned about development. I compiled data sheets on Excel and did further research to hunt down leads for the company. I met twice a week with both Tony and Robin Block-Taylor who oversees Development. As the internship progressed further, we began to lead more towards campaigning. For instance, how do we attract and communicate with the leads that I have found? This question led to us creating testimonial campaigns from companies we had worked with previously. We also began to advertise for the SHRM VI Conference that was taking place in August on various social media platforms. Naturally, when the internship ended, this led to my interest in becoming the Social Media Manager for Wave.
I attended the SHRM VI Conference on August 19th-21st. It was a conference that hosted HR professionals from all over the islands, including the British Virgin Islands. The keynote speaker was Johnny C. Taylor Jr., the CEO of SHRM. It was a good experience to hear him speak on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as the aging workforce in the United States.
What’s one thing you felt inspired by while abroad?
I forget sometimes that the United States mainland is a first-world country. The U.S territories, especially St. Thomas, are much more third world. It really struck me how much I take for granted easy-to-access water and the fast food that dominates the food industries in the U.S. It was not easy to obtain clean water, but it was easy to obtain rum. This is due to rum being a main export of the U.S Virgin Islands. Personally, I chose to buy the $6 soda over rum.
How would you say this opportunity affected your experience as a first-generation student, and what would you want to say to other first gens looking to study abroad?
This really shaped my first-gen experience. It proved to me that through relentless emails, perseverance, and a desire to learn, opportunities for first-gen students really do exist. I couldn’t believe that as a first-generation student who had few opportunities ever presented to her, that this opportunity came wrapped in a shiny gold bow. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. How many people in their freshman year get to go to the U.S Virgin Islands for an internship? Not many! But hard-working students with a network thinking mindset can achieve this, especially first-gen.
Sydney’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of perseverance. It illustrates how dedication and hard work can change one’s life trajectory, opening doors to opportunities that once felt out of reach. This is a narrative that resonates deeply with so many individuals who face similar challenges, highlighting not only the personal growth that can occur through education but also the broader impact it has on breaking cycles and inspiring future generations.
Every step taken toward education is a step toward a brighter future. Collectively, we possess the power to overcome obstacles, challenge stereotypes, and inspire others along the way. Each story shared amplifies the voices of those who came before us, creating a ripple effect that empowers future generations to pursue their dreams with courage and tenacity. Together, let us continue to uplift one another as we begin to create our own narrative.
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