Julianna Anika Jimenez
Julianna Anika Jimenez is a first-generation third-year student majoring in sociology of law, criminology and justice with a double minor in psychology and family social science. Jimenez is a Mexican-American student and is the first person to attend college in her family — including her parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
“I have nobody to guide me through this crazy college experience. I kind of have to figure it out on my own. It’s very rewarding too, because I’m the first one in my family entirely. I’m the oldest child. I have no one to push me one way or the other way. There are a lot of expectations — that not even other people put on you — but expectations you put on yourself.
Being the oldest of five pushes that too because I never had the good role model type. I try to be it for my siblings so they can keep working towards good goals in life. I see it in my sister. She’s doing so good in high school. I’m really proud of her.
I look Mexican, and people treat me like I’m Mexican. My father is an immigrant from Mexico, but my mother was born here. I grew up in a very predominantly white area. Very religious, racist, Republican, the three R’s I guess. I wish I grew up somewhere like here, in Minneapolis.
My father definitely pushed me a bit. I did want to go to college, but I think he put that idea in my head when I was younger, in middle school before I started high school. He told me how I set expectations for my siblings. He started working since he was 5 years old. He is very motivated and driven, but he was really restricted, so he pushes me to be better. He has done everything for me, came to this country, is giving me a great life.
I work three jobs. I have a lot of classes and I try to maintain a social life. That’s probably the hardest part, you know? Even though that’s the whole experience with college as well. But I think as first-gen students, we have different motivations. Motivation for my siblings, that’s what gets me through. Making my parents proud, and being someone for my siblings to come to. That’s what motivates me to keep going.
My sister is my best friend. I love my sister. I mean, I like to say that I help her, but she does it on her own too. I know she’s going to come to me for the FAFSA, because my parents, they never helped me with FAFSA. Honestly, that’s the most rewarding thing to be able to help her like that. We’ve already talked about going on college tours together. I think her dream school is Yale.Yeah, she’s shooting pretty high and I respect it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Interview by Gabrielle Erenstein