Exploring the Experiences of Latinx First-Generation Professionals in Student Affairs

Abstract

This qualitative study examined the experiences of Latinx first-generation professionals within Student Affairs at a University of California campus. It focused on institutional norms and their influences on the self-efficacy of Latinx first-generation professionals as they navigated their university work environments. This study utilized semi-structured interviews with a total of nine participants, including four Latino and five Latina participants, to consider possible differences by gender. All participants had between 2-10 years of experience working at their institution.

The qualitative findings revealed that, for some Latinx first-generation professionals, figuring things out on their own was the norm. Their professional environment presented a paradox where student advocacy was a key part of their role, but was simultaneously seen as inviting unsavory political circumstances. Participants contended with professional invalidations in different forms. The performance appraisal experience was one source, where some felt they had to prove they could do their job and felt uncomfortable with the process. Several also had to manage being invalidated due to their perceived youth by colleagues and the communities they were serving.

Latina participants were more likely to be invalidated due to their outward appearance and shared more instances of feeling unheard by others. They were also more aware of being in predominantly white spaces at their institution. The experiences of Latina and Latino participants also diverged in the way they framed their perceived shortcomings, their positionality, and the way they navigated workplace politics. When speaking of professional weaknesses, most Latino participants understood them within their professional realm. Latina participants were more likely to frame them as personal limitations. Additionally, Latina participants were more likely to utilize self-censure as a means of navigating workplace politics.