Beyond Educational Attainment: Professional Mobility Challenges of Mexican Heritage First-Generation College Graduates

• In Event: 30620 - Section on Inequality, Poverty, and Mobility Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4: Migration, Incorporation, and Inequality

Abstract

While extensive research documents educational inequalities, less attention focuses on how these persist as students enter and navigate professional contexts. The transition of Mexican heritage first-generation college students (FGCS) into the labor market remains understudied, especially in geographically constrained areas. Despite established links between education and socioeconomic advancement, Hispanic graduates face higher unemployment rates (12.5% versus 6.1% for white graduates) and significant workforce barriers. This study addresses this gap by analyzing how Mexican heritage FGCS navigate labor market entry. Drawing on 40 interviews with graduates in Frontera Harvest Valley, a majority Hispanic county with limited professional opportunities, the research examines workforce navigation, the role of social and cultural capital, and hidden employment challenges. Preliminary findings reveal three key themes: First, FGCS often rely on informal networks leading to low-skill positions rather than professional networks facilitating upward mobility. Second, participants struggle to find employment aligned with their credentials, describing disconnects between their education and local opportunities. Third, FGCS face challenges with unspoken professional expectations regarding resumes, interviews, and workplace culture—difficulties exacerbated by limited inherited cultural capital or mentorship. This research highlights systemic inequities persisting despite educational attainment, challenging assumptions that degrees automatically ensure economic mobility.

Author

• Alejandra Fregozo Vargas, University of California-San Diego