First Generation Senior Celebration 2024
Haita Ndimbalan, MPH ’20 was the featured speaker at the 2024 First-Gen Senior Celebration, sponsored by the Center for Orientation, Transitions, and Leadership. After graduation, the health policy and management major earned a master of public health degree from Emory University. Ndimbalan now works as a program coordinator for the Rhode Island Department of Public Health.
My name is Haita Ndimbalan, and I am so grateful to be here with you all! It feels surreal that I’m up here. It does not feel like that long ago that I was sitting in your seats.
So, a little bit about myself: I was raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Both of my parents came to the United States as immigrants from a small west African country called The Gambia. They are hard workers, they are selfless, they are high achievers, they are the pioneers, they are dreamers. There was no manual or guidebook made for them before they set forth on their journey. They had to pave their own way. I’m sure as many of you are listening to this right now you may be thinking of your own parents and how this story reminds you of them and their walks of life, but as you listen to this, I hope you also see yourself.
I don’t know each of you personally, but I know that you share the journey of a first-generation student, which means I already know there is so much that is amazing about you, and I hope you see that too, but we are human! We all have our moments of self-doubt. Self-doubt tells us things that are untrue. So, I am here to tell you five myths that you need to overcome in your next chapter.
Myth No. 1: “It’s all about who you know.”
True, who you know is important, but it’s also about who knows you and I don’t think we stress that enough because in each new space you enter lies new opportunities. This means when you enter a room don’t be afraid to take up space and be present. Take pride in your many skills and talents; they make you stand out, and most of all take pride in where you come from! Celebrate your own talents as you do others. When you’re confident, you’re memorable.
Myth No. 2: “Everyone has their stuff together but me.”
Take my word for it when I tell you, no, they do not! Nine times out of 10 everyone is also just trying to figure it out. That requires putting on a brave face. We all have ups and downs, though it may not always feel like it because we live in a world where people often only highlight their wins. This can feel isolating. You may feel like you’re the only one experiencing any downs. However, that’s not true. We are all on our own path, at our own pace. I’m sure much of the journey being a first-generation student felt like this for most of us. However, the lessons I’ve learned from being a first-generation student have been my biggest asset in navigating this world. My experience has given me more courage and trust in myself to achieve anything I set my mind to. No challenge is too big, too unfamiliar, or too complex to figure out. This is not because I always know the answer. No one always has the answer. This is because along my journey I also learned that it is okay to ask for guidance and to seek mentorship and wisdom.
Myth No. 3: “Failure is not an option.”
Now hold on. I’m sure some of you may have a furrowed brow, thinking to yourself: “Isn’t this supposed to be motivating?” My answer to that is, “it is,” but I also want you to know that failure is a natural part of any journey. Failure does not define you. Failure may make you feel like you’re bending, but you will not break. Failure allows you to learn. Failure motivates you to come back stronger!
I know many of us are hard on ourselves about failure. We are used to feeling the pressure that we put on ourselves to always exceed the standard. We carry the weight of not only our own dreams, but our families’ dreams as well when we cross each finish line in life.
Myth No. 4: “I just got lucky.”
It’s not luck. It’s hard work. It’s early mornings, late nights, unexpected obstacles, facing learning curves, a lot of hitting the ground running, navigating the unfamiliar, and self-advocacy. Your level of dedication is admired, and it inspires so many. However, unfortunately there will be times and spaces along our journey where someone tries to downplay or overlook our accomplishments. We have a name for those people … but let’s not get into that. My point is there will be people who downplay or overlook your accomplishments, but don’t ever let that person be you. Humility is fine. Humility keeps you grounded. Playing small is not. There is a difference. Learn the difference. You may carry everything well, but never forget that it is a heavy lift. So, when you overcome something hard, acknowledge it. When you achieve a goal, celebrate it.
Myth No. 5: “A college education is the greatest thing you will ever achieve.”
Now, don’t get me wrong — this accomplishment is tremendous! You might not even realize how much power lies within you to have accomplished this. What you’re about to accomplish will help build a foundation for generations. You’re redefining what’s possible despite all the obstacles. That should never be overlooked, but my hope for you is that once you cross that stage you realize that this accomplishment will be one of many. I hope the sense of fulfillment you feel in that moment blossoms in so many other milestones throughout your life. I want you to hear this because following graduation and speaking to so many of my peers we had something in common and that was the feeling of “what now?”
For so long we have dreamt of holding this degree, we envision how it feels to cross that stage, have those letters behind our name, to get that job title. We have shaped so many of our life’s building blocks just to reach this one goal. We have formed a sense of identity around this accomplishment. Once we have achieved it, it is powerful. It is a testament to our greatness, but we are so much more than just our degree. If you have accomplished this, imagine how much more you can conquer. When I say that, I’m not simply talking about reaching the next accolade. I mean, don’t forget to do the things that simply bring you joy and make you feel alive. So, I urge you to explore your passions, discover your gifts, get to know what fulfills you and find ways to build them into your life and the lives of others.
So, when you leave PC, and you start on your next endeavor I want you to remember that all the paths are open to you! Wherever you don’t think you see a path: create one. It’s what you do, after all!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Haita Ndimbalan, MPH ’20
