From First-Generation to Double Ivy: A Bold Journey as a Black Man in Higher Education
During my first year of high school, a senior in my Spanish class made a comment that has stuck with me ever since. “Stop raising your hand all the time and let the white kids answer the questions.” This incident holds great significance for me, and if you’ve known me for some time, you might have heard me recount this story before. It served as a pivotal moment in my life. Not only did it cause me to reflect on the amount of space I occupied in the classroom, but also led me to question my own intellectual capabilities.
“Stop raising your hand all the time and let the white kids answer the questions.”
This incident is just one example among many where I have encountered attempts by others to silence me or pressure me into shrinking myself or becoming invisible in certain spaces. This is done in order to conform to their expectations of how I should act or behave. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a village of family members, friends, and community members who encouraged my academic endeavors. Growing up in a Black working-class family, my parents consistently emphasized the power of education, the importance of having a strong community of loved ones, and the importance of building a relationship with God. These pillars of education, community, and faith continue to hold great significance in my life and have played a profound role in shaping the person I have become today.
As a first-generation college student who graduated from Princeton University in 2018, I experienced transformative economic mobility within just two years of entering the workforce. Despite working at a highly respected company that many consider a dream opportunity and excelling in my role, I maintained my deep desire to pursue graduate education.
Despite working at a highly respected company that many consider a dream opportunity and excelling in my role, I maintained my deep desire to pursue graduate education.
During my initial career conversation with my manager, I boldly expressed my intention to pursue a Master’s Degree in either Public Policy or Public Administration within the next two years. While some managers might see this as undesirable in progressing their direct report long term, my manager took a different approach. My manager actively supported me by helping me identify and develop skills that would both enhance my professional growth at the company and contribute to my academic endeavors.
In February 2020, I transitioned into a new role within the company and eagerly anticipated my relocation to New York City. However, just a week into the training program, the COVID-19 restrictions forced us to transition to a fully virtual environment. At that time, I had no idea that I would never step foot into an office again during my tenure as an employee. Like many individuals who started new roles during the pandemic, I found myself confined to virtual onboarding sessions and limited to interacting with my manager, coworkers, and clients solely in a virtual environment. This shift made work more challenging by removing the opportunity for face-to-face collaboration with peers. It also resulted in the loss of cherished office perks and posed difficulties in maintaining connections with colleagues who had become friends. However, this change also provided me with more time for introspection and reflection on my priorities.
During this period, my older sister, who was undergoing formal life coaching training, offered me a chance to participate in a free practice session. It was during this session that she questioned my timeline for pursuing a Master’s degree, and we delved into discussing potential barriers that could be overcome. Inspired by this conversation, within just two weeks of the first application deadline, I decided to apply to four graduate programs, including the MPP program at the Harvard Kennedy School. However, while my desire to pursue a career in public service had always been present, the profound impact of COVID-19 was on low-income communities of color. The escalating concerns regarding racial injustice in my community compelled me in that pivotal moment of 2020 to pursue a life more aligned with my true purpose.
Upon receiving acceptance letters in Spring 2021, I found myself grappling with a challenging decision: should I resign from my job during a time of significant economic uncertainty to enroll in a full-time degree program, or should I continue working while pursuing a part-time program? After engaging in discussions with my family members, mentors, and friends, as well as professors and graduate students from each program, I made the decision to pursue my Master's in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
On May 25, 2023, I added three new letters behind my name, MPP. I am proud to be a first-generation college and graduate school alumni. I recognize that my journey would not have been possible without the combination of my faith, the sacrifices made by my family, the tenacity, hopes, and prayers of my ancestors, and the endless support that I have received from my network.
One critical life lesson that I’ve learned throughout my lifetime and want to emphasize is the importance of being prepared to act on your goals at a moment’s notice. When people discover that I made the decision to apply to Harvard just three weeks before the deadline, many express disbelief. However, it is important to note that I didn’t embark on that process unprepared. The professional development endeavors I engaged in prior to making that decision played a pivotal role in attaining my goal. I am profoundly grateful to my support system, particularly my recommenders, who believed in me and cheered me on throughout the entire journey.
Just like, you want to have an up-to-date passport ready in case your boss, significant other, or best friend called you with the opportunity to go on an all-expenses-paid international trip within the next two weeks. It’s similarly advantageous to maintain an updated resume and nurture robust connections with individuals who can confidently speak to your expertise, contributions, and impact within their organizations. These proactive measures can prove highly advantageous when you have an urgent request for support.
While this article did not delve deeply into my specific experiences or lessons learned at Harvard, I invite you to reach out to me through the comment section of this article or in my LinkedIn inbox. If you have any specific aspects or questions you’d like me to address. Your input will help shape future content that can be most helpful to you.
In the meantime, I hope that you take away the following:
Hold onto your dreams, as they serve as a compass for setting meaningful goals and preparing yourself for success.
Brandon McGhee, MPP
