First generation college students working dreams into realities.

Jovan Ramirez
Age: 23
Home Town: Bronx, NY
University at Buffalo- bachelors in exercise science
New york medical college- Doctorate in Physical Therapy (current)

Dream career, and how has changed over time?

I always wanted to be a doctor. I was always in the hospital because of severe asthma, and was always grateful to the doctors that helped me. When I was in high school I realized I still wanted to be a Doctor, but I was interested in physical therapy instead of pediatrics.

What do you feel your biggest struggle was while in undergrad?

Juggling a very hard major and being the leader on campus I wanted to be.

What was your biggest life lesson to date?

Everything, everything, everything happens for a reason. Even in my darkest moments, something good came out of it later down the road.

If you could take one good idea from our time 40 years in the past what would it be and why?

Cell phones lol I don’t know how people functioned without them! If don’t have my blackberry for a day I feel lost.

What drives you?

Right now, money. Honestly, I want to be successful to the point that money is not a worry or problem in my life. But for most of my life I never wanted to disappoint my parents, and that drove me.

How do you think you have changed since the limo ride to prom?

Most of my values are still the same. I’ve matured on some ways just because I’ve experienced more in life. I wish I could go back because that was the last moment where you had no worries or obligations. After that was when adulthood started up. And being an adult is tough; I wish I still had no worries.

What is one thing you would like to tell the world?

Everyone has the capacity to do great things and achieve their goal. You just have to keep working hard and fighting. No one in life owes you anything; you have earn everything, including respect.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Hopefully starting up my own clinic somewhere. Definitely married, with at least one kid.