The First-Gen Remote Worker: Navigating New Norms & Old Values

By Ximena Mancilla Delgado, BOTN Macro Social Work Intern

I recently saw a TikTok where children of Latine parents were asked about their jobs. In one example, a child mentioned working remotely, and the mother responded, "You're working from your bed." This made me realize that many Latine parents may not fully grasp the nature of their children's remote work. I decided to ask my mom what it is that I do, and she said “Ayudar a la gente a darle lo que necesita” (to give people what they need), and “proyectos y juntas” (projects and meetings). This made me think about the differences in our jobs and the generational differences. 

Growing up in a household where hard work and perseverance was ingrained in our daily lives, having a career path different from my parents was something new. As a first-generation Latina, I have had the privilege and unique opportunity to navigate the world of remote work while my parents have had to work labor-intensive jobs, as a FedEx driver and a warehouse employee. 

My family and I immigrated from Mexico in 2011 to the United States looking for better opportunities. My parents had to get labor-intensive jobs to provide for our family, teaching me every day the importance of having a strong work ethic and dedication. They taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and the importance of family. One thing that my parents always emphasized was the importance of education and striving for a better future. 

Having the opportunity to work at Back of the Napkin Consulting allowed me to have more flexibility and autonomy. I also had to learn to manage my time effectively, and since I could visit home more often, I had to learn to create a productive workspace at home. 

The nature of my remote work is vastly different from my parents' labor-intensive jobs. While their work demands physical strength and hands-on effort, my job is centered around technology, digital communication, and other virtual tools. Explaining the concept of remote work was challenging at the beginning. At first, they were skeptical, questioning how I could be working when it seemed like I was just always on my computer. They often wondered if I was actually getting anything done. I spent some time telling my parents about what goes on in my day, and how different it was from their everyday job, nonetheless, it was still work. All the love they have provided, and even if they do not understand half of the time what I am working on, they are always there to provide me with cut-up fruit or make home-cooked meals that I love. Being able to work from home has allowed me to be closer to my family and explore how the world is changing. As much as my parents are learning about the remote world, their resilience and work ethic have inspired me to be the best version of myself. Also, their sacrifices have reminded me of the privilege I have, and to be grateful for all the opportunities I am able to get. 

The remote work world has been a journey of learning and growth, especially since I wasn't initially accustomed to it. Throughout this experience, my Latinidad has been ever-present, and I've had to learn to adapt by embracing my cultural heritage with pride, refusing to let impostor syndrome hold me back. There have been times where the spaces I have been in are intimidating but it is then that my parents' words of encouragement come to me such as “you are there for a reason” and “you can do it”. Hearing that they believe in me, and are trying their best to understand allows me to keep giving the best of me and learn more every day. 

Navigating the generational divide between physical labor and remote work has been a new experience that has taught me to better communicate with my parents, find common ground, and share more about our experiences. 

As I have been learning and navigating the virtual world, I have come to realize things that continue to help me thrive:

• Finding your community and people who share similar experiences will provide that encouragement and guidance 

• Seeing your cultural heritage as strength and pride, not as something you need to hide

• Being able to maintain a work-life balance to have a healthy lifestyle and be able to spend time with your loved ones