From Broke Student to Financially Free Professional: My Journey and Why Yours Doesn’t Have to Be as Hard

I vividly remember sitting alone in my small apartment in West Philly, hungry, pride bruised, calling my sisters for help because I couldn’t afford groceries. I was doing everything right but this was not a season of harvest. Still, the embarrassment burned deep. Here I was, studying mechanical engineering at the graduate level, a promising future ahead according to everyone else — but financially, I was barely scraping by.

My path to financial freedom wasn’t linear. I didn’t have college funds waiting for me; I went to the school that didn’t give me any scholarships and student loans weren’t enough. For a year, I struggled, juggling late-night shifts at a pizza shop and desperately trying to keep my grades up in undergrandute E-school. It became clear I couldn’t continue that way. Broke, exhausted, and out of options, I made a choice that changed my life: I enlisted in the Army Reserves and went to boot camp the next summer for a much needed break.

That choice wasn’t easy. After boot camp, I returned to school stronger, both mentally and financially. I went to graduate school right after my office’s basic course and then graduate school in Philly. That to was a grind and the fact that I couldn’t make real money was kicking my ass. So I ballance school with being a TA, security guard, and doing military funderals parttime. Shortly after completing my graduate studies in mechanical engineering at Drexel University, I found myself deployed to Iraq. My life felt like a series of extreme transitions — from broke student to soldier, from warzone back to the classroom. Each step taught me resilience and resourcefulness. But each step was also a stark reminder: success for first-generation immigrants and professionals often comes at an immense personal and emotional cost.

Fast forward to today, I’ve earned multiple degrees: a BS in Mechanical Engineering, two master’s degrees (Mechanical Engineering and Systems Engineering), and an MBA from the prestigious Darden School of Business. I’ve managed to build real wealth, owning four rental homes, and achieving financial freedom — something my parents never saw in their lifetimes. My mom passed in her 40s, and my dad in his 70s; neither ever experienced the kind of financial stability I now enjoy.

Yet, I constantly think back to those dark moments, when my sisters had to send pizza or Chinese food over the phone just to keep me going. It’s a memory that grounds me in my mission today. My journey was tough, unnecessarily so. The financial struggles I faced, the isolation, the embarrassment, the helplessness — no first-generation professional in STEM or healthcare should have to go through that. And that’s why I do what I do today.

Why Financial Struggle Feels Inevitable for First-Generation West African Professionals

If you’re reading this, you might relate. You’ve likely overcome incredible odds — perhaps moving across continents, navigating new cultures, mastering difficult degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or healthcare. You’ve secured a good job, a respectable salary, maybe even prestige. But if you’re anything like the many first-gen West African professionals I speak to regularly, there’s a recurring tension: You’re making money, yet wealth and true financial stability seem perpetually out of reach.

This feeling isn’t random. It’s deeply rooted in a unique set of challenges, pressures, and expectations specific to our community. Let’s talk about them.

25 Real Financial Pain Points You’ve Probably Experienced

I’ve spent years connecting deeply with fellow first-generation West African professionals, particularly those in STEM and healthcare. I’ve identified 25 common yet powerful financial struggles you may recognize:

1. Being the Family Retirement Plan

You’ve realized that you are your parents’ only retirement plan. It’s a pressure that never subsides, even as you strive for your own financial future.

2. The Guilt of Success

You’re the one who “made it,” which can bring isolation and profound guilt for leaving others behind.

3. The Disappearing Paycheck

Every month, your paycheck disappears into family obligations, leaving you feeling stuck.

4. Financial Literacy Gap

You’re highly educated but were never taught how to truly manage and grow money.

5. Heavy Student Loan Debt

You’re burdened by large debts from advanced degrees that your family assumes mean wealth.

6. Cultural Isolation from Financial Advisors

Trying to find a financial advisor who understands your cultural background often feels impossible.

7. Dual Obligations Across Continents

You juggle financial responsibilities both in your new home and back in West Africa.

8. Fear of Disappointing Your Family

Success hasn’t erased the constant fear of letting your family down.

9. Cross-border Financial Confusion

Managing money across borders creates complexities and stress.

10. Pressure to Marry and Provide Financially

The expectation to marry and support another household financially arrives before you feel ready.

11. Overwhelmed by Tax Complexity

You excel in your professional field yet feel helpless when facing your tax returns.

12. Endless Family Dependence

Family members depend on you financially, viewing your success as their entitlement.

13. Isolation in Financial Struggles

You often feel alone in your financial stress, even among successful peers.

14. Anxiety About Retirement

You worry about your own future because your current responsibilities leave no room for retirement planning.

15. Guilt Over Personal Spending

Every purchase feels like taking resources away from family obligations.

16. Unplanned Remittances

Sudden family emergencies constantly drain your resources.

17. Frustration with Family Financial Choices

Watching the money you send home mismanaged leaves you feeling helpless.

18. Immigration-Linked Financial Anxiety

Despite your professional stability, immigration-related insecurities linger.

19. Pressure as the Family’s Healthcare Safety Net

Your medical or STEM career means you’re expected to financially solve medical issues at home.

20. Emergency Fund That Never Grows

Frequent family crises ensure your emergency savings never accumulate.

21. Burnout from Constant Overwork

You tirelessly work overtime to manage financial demands, sacrificing your wellbeing.

22. Difficulty Saying “No”

Culturally, you struggle to set boundaries, fearing the emotional cost of saying no.

23. Struggle with Identity and Financial Boundaries

You wrestle with preserving your African identity while trying to establish financial independence.

24. Challenge Building Generational Wealth

You dream of leaving your children wealth, yet currently struggle to build stability.

25. Trapped in Survival Mode

Despite professional success, you feel stuck financially — surviving but never thriving.

My Mission: Your Financial Freedom

When I reflect on my journey — from broke student, soldier in Iraq, to successful engineer, investor, and MBA graduate — I see how financial literacy, strategic planning, and culturally competent advice could have dramatically shortened my struggle. That’s why today, I’m dedicated to guiding first-generation West African professionals through a proven path to real financial clarity and freedom.

I know firsthand the emotional and cultural weight of financial obligations. But here’s what I learned through my journey: financial freedom doesn’t mean abandoning your obligations. It means mastering them — turning burdens into manageable strategies.

Your Next Step: A Free Financial Check-Up

To pay it forward, I’m offering you something I wish existed during my toughest years — a free Financial Check-Up. This personalized session will help you answer essential questions:

• Am I using my income wisely?
• Can I support others without stalling my own future?
• Where is my money really going?

My hope is simple: that your path to financial freedom is clearer, quicker, and easier than mine ever was.

Let’s end the unnecessary struggle. Let’s build wealth strategically — not just for yourself, but for generations after you.

Ready to break the cycle?
[Book Your Free Financial Check-Up] today and take your first step towards clarity, control, and financial freedom.

Because your story deserves a brighter financial future than mine had to endure.