Julia Conroy, the daughter of Irish immigrants, is now a first-generation college student at Fordham.
Her story begins with her parents, who were born and raised in Monaghan and Tipperary. After graduating from high school, they moved to the U.S. They mostly worked in the restaurant industry, saving enough money to open five restaurants in New York, including an Irish sports bar in Manhattan where Julia works part-time as a waitress.
“I’ve never seen people work as hard as they did,” Conroy said. “My dad still works, running around the restaurant day in and day out. Watching him put our family first and working so hard has been inspirational for me my whole life, and set a precedent of how hard you need to work if you want to make it in the U.S.”
Growing up, Conroy and her two siblings didn’t have much guidance from their parents on the college application process.
“Our parents didn’t go through the American school system, so they weren't aware of when you’re supposed to start applying to colleges, the Common App, and things like that,” Conroy said. “There was definitely a learning curve for me and my family. But the good thing that came out of that is I am now a very proactive person.”
From an Internship to a Full-Time Job Offer
This past summer, Conroy interned at the New York branch of MUFG, one of the largest banking institutions in Japan. She credits Fordham with supporting her on her career path.
“They offer so much interview prep and one-on-one counseling, as well as emails about job postings,” Conroy said, referring to the Career Center, which supports all Fordham students, and the Gabelli School of Business’ Personal and Professional Development Center. “Fordham played a huge role in getting me to where I am today.”
After Conroy graduates from the Gabelli School of Business with her bachelor’s degree in finance this spring, she plans to return to MUFG, which offered her a full-time position as a credit analyst.
“My parents sacrificed the opportunity to attend college when they decided to stay in the U.S. I wanted to fulfill some of those dreams and aspirations they might have had,” Conroy said. “Being a first-generation college student means using all of the opportunities I’m lucky enough to have to their fullest potential.”
Conroy’s Advice for First-Gen Students
- Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
- Seek help from advisors, mentors, peers, and friends.
- Build genuine relationships.
- Be patient with your parents. Help them understand what’s important to you, and be grateful for their support.
- Remember that your family’s story is unique and special.