I am First-Generation: Pedro Caballero

Pedro Caballero

Student – Political Science and Public Health, 2024

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up and attend school before the UW? What was your route to college like?  

I come from a low-income family where I’m the only boy among four amazing sisters, and the child of agricultural working immigrants from Mexico. I’m from Granger, Washington, a small town in the Yakima Valley where I attended Granger High School. For my route to college, my parents always encouraged me to seek academics in any capacity to help improve my future. With this, I joined a college preparatory program called Trio Upward Bound at Yakima Valley College during my freshman year. I attribute this program the most to aiding me in applying to colleges, as it provided me access to admissions presentations and campus tours that I would never have took part in. This program and my family encouraged me to join Running Start at Yakima Valley College where I earned my AA (Associate of Arts) while finishing high school. Being low-income, my route to college was different than most, considering I had to seek academic opportunities from a young age to help prepare for college—which resulted in me perhaps "adulting" at a younger age. But, I would never change anything. My journey helped me while at the UW where I’m now double majoring in both Political Science and Public Health.

How has your experience been as a first-generation college student? how does your experience inspire/impact your approach to your research, work, and connection to our campus?

My experience as a first-generation college student has been one of gratitude. Surrounded by peers with a family history of college education, I come from a family where my parents barely had a high school level of education. I’ve felt my experience has been both earned and frightening, as there's been a constant pressure to not fail in any regard. However, my experience has inspired my approach to my level of research, work, and connection with this campus, students, and faculty, by encouraging me to always go above and beyond what is expected and become eager to learn new things at any moment. 

What does being a first-generation college student and part of a growing community mean to you?

To be honest, being a first-generation college student and part of a growing community is an honor. An honor to be part of a community rich with individuals from different backgrounds and stories. Being part of this growing community is extraordinary as this community has no definition, but pushing forward and striving for an education that will better your future. 

What brought you to the University of Washington?

To be honest, the resources that the University of Washington has at its disposal are what brought me here. Coming from a low-income family, education has always been pushed as a way to better my future. I figured what better way to to pursue education than to attend one of the best schools in the state and country. This and applying during the pandemic, I saw how crucial Public Health was for low-income communities like mine, and I wanted to know what I could learn to help those in need. 

Where do you see yourself after graduation?

After graduating, I see myself working with underprivileged communities by assisting in statistical analysis of how diseases spread in communities or through a more hands-on approach, simply helping those in need. This and creating plans to apply to either graduate or law school. I don’t believe in definite plans—as anything in my future can change at a given moment—but I do know I want to continue helping people like me: first-generation, low-income, underprivileged individuals.   

What words of encouragement or insight would you share with current and future first-generation students?

I would say that you are never alone in a world of uncertainty. That through failure you will learn to succeed, that it’s never as bad as it seems, and that you’re so much stronger than you know. Also, the steps you are taking for your future (to pursue education) are incredible strides that will help share and tell you’re amazing story.