The First Gen Coach: Career Development for Latinas and First Gen Professionals

Hosted by Carla Santamaria

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157

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Aug 2026

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On the First Gen Coach podcast, first generation professionals learn how to rethink limiting cultural beliefs, up-level their mindset, advance in their careers, and build generational wealth. Host Carla Santamaria and her guests deliver practical and actionable ways to own your brilliance and have a thriving career and life. IG: @CarlaTheFirstGenCoach

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August 5, 202619 min

156. The Cringey Side of Job Searching

Getting a job in 2026 is gonna require you to slide into people’s LinkedIn DMs. And that can be super cringey. This episode is all about that: the cringey side of job searching. I go over what an effective LinkedIn DM looks like, why it can feel so cringey to send this, and most importantly, how facing that awkwardness is the key to landing your next opportunity. Key Takeaways: Feeling cringy is part of the process. Networking opens doors to opportunities you didn't even know existed. Every awkward message gets you closer to your goal. If you know that you need to be reaching out to more people in your job search but you know where to start or what to say, this episode is for you. FREE WEBINAR: Build Your Career Community Learn how to build a career community that will layoff proof your career, without networking or feeling transactional. Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13th at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. Register now at thefirstgencoach.com/webinar Referenced Episodes: 154. Questions to Ask on a Coffee Chat 130. How to Tap into the Hidden Job Market Resources : Get a Raise in Any Economy - Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/consult Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 29, 202633 min

155. Networking is OUT. Community-Building is IN.

This episode is all about building community! I talk about how to find your people by putting yourself in places where you yourself want to be, how NOT to be exploitative or annoying, and why I don't think that everyone needs to go to "networking" events. I share how I prepare, because yes, even this super chatty extrovert needs to prepare. Whether that's the overachieving Virgo in me or simply the lingering effects of COVID that caused all of us to be out of practice talking to humans, who knows. But preparation is the key to confidence and to having a great time! Remember, it is NOT about "networking." It is not about transactional interactions that both of you will forget about right away. It is about building community. We are community beings and we need each other! FREE WEBINAR: Build Your Career Community Learn how to build a career community that will layoff proof your career, without networking or feeling transactional. Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13th at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. Register now at thefirstgencoach.com/webinar Resources: Get a Raise in Any Economy - Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/consult Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 20, 202631 min

154. Questions to Ask in a Coffee Chat

You know you’re supposed to go on coffee chats. But what do you even say? In this episode, I answer exactly that. I provide a list of ten sample questions you can ask on a coffee chat to help you make the most out of your time. I also provide an easy way to start and end the conversation so that you’re not battling nerves and you can be present, actively listen, and honor the other person’s time. If not knowing what to say on a coffee what has prevented you from reaching out to people in the past, this episode is for you. Referenced Episodes: 64. Part 2: Getting a Job when You Don’t Know Where to Start 78. Three Types of Coffee Chats to Increase Your Income 126. How to Know if You’re Underpaid Resources: Get a Raise in Any Economy - Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/consult Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 2, 202617 min

153. You Deserve More

If you’re a first gen professional listening to this podcast, you deserve more. You deserve more happiness, more wealth, more peace, more joy. In this episode, I share my reflections about an extremely pivotal time in my life, when I decided that I deserved more, and what I did about it. Yes, this episode is about how I embraced the mindset of abundance. But it’s also about how YOU can embrace a mindset of abundance too, and why when you have more, you have more to give. LAST CHANCE ! Get Job Offers Faster Webinar is happening Sunday, July 5th at 12 PM ET. Learn the exact steps I used to go from layoff to ideal job offer in just eight weeks. Register at thefirstgencoach.com/webinar Resources: Get Job Offers Faster - Register now at thefirstgencoach.com/webinar 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 25, 202630 min

152. Three Stages of Career Growth

Get Job Offers Faster Webinar is Back! Learn the exact steps I used to go from layoff to ideal job offer in just eight weeks. Register at thefirstgencoach.com/webinar Career growth is a cycle, and where you are in the cycle matters. It influences what actions you take and why you take them. In this episode, I break down each of the three stages of the career growth cycle, what you should be doing at each stage, and how you can intentionally set yourself up for growth and long-term career success. Plus, an update on where I am in my own career growth cycle! If you’ve ever wondered what you should be doing to get unstuck or break out of a career rut, this is the episode for you. Resources: Get Job Offers Faster - Register now at thefirstgencoach.com/webinar 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20261 hr 1 min

151. Job Search Q&A

I accepted a job offer just eight weeks after getting laid off. And you can too. It’s a repeatable process. In this episode, I talk about my job search journey and I answer all your job search questions to help you land a job offer too! I talked about mindset, resume optimization, leveraging LinkedIn, and the support I had in this process. Tune in to learn: What the job interview process looks like in 2026 Which job boards are most effective for finding jobs How to best structure your days when job searching Is it better to change your resume for each role or to use the same one? Should you narrow your job search by job title or type of company? And so much more. Whether you’re just starting out in your job search or need new energy after being on the job search for a while, this episode is for you. Resources: Get a Raise in Any Economy - Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 6, 202644 min

150. From Layoff to Job Offer in 8 Weeks

I manifested a job offer 8 weeks after getting laid off, and in this episode, I tell you how. From getting crystal clear on what I wanted from my next role, to over-preparing and over delivering in the job interview, to protecting my energy and focus, these are the exact steps that I used to land a fully remote, aligned job offer that was exactly what I was looking for as the next step in my career! I share both the strategy and the mindset that helped me implement these steps. I don’t hold anything back, including the emotional toll that being laid off had on that made it hard to do things like getting myself up off the couch to wash my hair, put on a little makeup, and talk myself into networking events. I also share the one bit of tough love that snapped me out of my pity party and helped me step back into my power. Whether you’re currently navigating a layoff or simply want to fast-track your job search, you don’t want to miss this episode. Referenced Episodes: 109. Get Job Offers Faster with These 5 Steps Job Interviews in 2026 (Instagram Live) 148. The Spiritual Side of Job Searching 34. Lowering the Stakes without Lowering Your Standards Resources: Get a Raise in Any Economy - Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 29, 202628 min

149. Getting Hired at a Career Fair

Getting a job in 2026 will require you to think outside the box. But sometimes, you also have to rely on tried and true methods, such as going to career fairs. In this episode, I share practical strategies for getting hired at career fairs. I talk both logistics and self-care. Plus, a very special announcement for episode 150! Referenced Episodes: 115. A Quick start Guide to Networking Events 78. Three Types of Coffee Chats to Increase Your Income Resources: In honor of Financial Literacy Month, I am bringing back one of my most impactful trainings: Get a Raise in Any Economy. This training will show you the exact steps you need to take to understand how companies determine salary and what you need to do in order to maximize your salary. Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 22, 202640 min

148. The Spiritual Side of Job Searching

The right mindset and strategy will go a long way towards helping you land your next role. But sometimes, you can use a little divine intervention. In this episode, I go over eight spiritual practices that I have used throughout my career and that I am using to manifest a fully aligned job offer in 30 days. Some of these spiritual practices, like lighting a candleeeeeee and setting an intention, are things I’ve been doing for years and have mentioned on the podcast before. Others are new to me or new to sharing on the podcast. Plus, I share an extremely personal journal entry that encapsulates how I think about job searching and calling in your next role. NEW RESOURCE ALERT! In honor of Financial Literacy Month, I am bringing back one of my most impactful trainings: Get a Raise in Any Economy. This training will show you the exact steps you need to take to understand how companies determine salary and what you need to do in order to maximize your salary. Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 15, 202623 min

147. How to Pivot from Entrepreneurship to Corporate

The fastest way to transition from one industry to another is to embody the identity of someone in your desired field. In this episode, I share two easy steps that you can take to transition from entrepreneurship to corporate life. These can be used by anyone who is looking to transition from one industry to another. Tune in for concrete examples of why and how you can embody your new identity, and how to grow your network in your chosen field. If you’re ready to pivot into a new industry, this episode is for you! NEW RESOURCE ALERT! In honor of Financial Literacy Month, I am bringing back one of my most impactful trainings: Get a Raise in Any Economy. This training will show you the exact steps you need to take to understand how companies determine salary and what you need to do in order to maximize your salary. Get instant access via thefirstgencoach.com/freetraining 6-Month 1:1 Coaching: https://calendly.com/thefirstgencoach/discovery-call Apply for On-Air Coaching: https://forms.gle/JshV6Z6TfUw6BBnk6 Download your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FREE Resume Guide and Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CarlaTheFirstGenCoach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.