Meet Devon: A Story You Might Recognize
Devon is 19. He just started college at a public university, the first in his family to do so. He grew up in a low-income neighborhood where the streetlights didn’t always work and police sirens were more common than ice cream trucks. His mom worked nights at a nursing home. His dad? In and out. Sometimes in prison, sometimes just gone.
School wasn’t easy. Not because Devon wasn’t smart, he was. But it’s hard to focus on algebra when you’re worried your lights might get shut off. Or when your little brother’s asthma is acting up and the family can’t afford the medicine. Or when the older guys in the neighborhood start handing you cash to hold something you shouldn’t be holding.
Devon didn’t fall into the trap, but it was close. He stayed in school. Got a few good teachers who believed in him. Applied to college. Got in. Now he’s there, on campus, but broke, tired, and overwhelmed. Everyone says “you made it,” but he’s not so sure.
This post is for the Devons of the world.
Understanding the Weight You Carry
If you come from poverty, especially generational poverty, the battle isn’t just about money. It’s about mindset. And not in the “just think positive” kind of way. It’s about unlearning survival mode.
When you’ve spent your whole life watching people just scrape by, it messes with how you think about money. You don’t grow up planning for retirement, you grow up praying the EBT card works this week. You don’t think about investing, you think about how to make $20 stretch until Friday.
Devon carries that. You might, too.
He doesn’t talk about it much, but he feels out of place in college. People laugh about being broke over lattes, but Devon’s “broke” meant eating cereal with water. His roommate’s “I’m struggling” means they only got $200 for textbooks from their parents instead of $300.
This background can create what psychologists call “learned limitation”, a belief, deep down, that people like you don’t really get ahead. That no matter how smart you are, the system wasn’t built for you. And here’s the truth: sometimes that’s accurate. The system wasn’t. But you’re not crazy for feeling that way.
And you’re not stuck.
The Real First Step: Stabilize Before You Scale
People love to say “save money” or “start investing young,” but if you’re still skipping meals, that advice is noise. So let’s be real: before you build wealth, you need to build stability.
Devon’s first priority isn’t a Roth IRA. It’s making sure his basic needs are covered:
- Food security (apply for SNAP if eligible)
- Affordable housing (seek on-campus housing or low-income assistance if possible)
- Reliable internet and tech (for classes and side hustles)
- A quiet, safe study space (even if it’s the library)
Until your basic needs are stable, there’s no shame in focusing on survival. What matters is doing it with intention, not drifting. You can stabilize and plan at the same time. You don’t need to “have it all together” to begin.
Devon’s Turning Point: Treating College Like a Mission
College isn’t just about getting a degree. For someone like Devon, it’s a launchpad. But only if he treats it like one.
That means:
- Choosing the right major: Not the one that sounds impressive, but the one that opens doors. (Think nursing, IT, trade programs, or business, not philosophy unless there’s a clear plan.)
- Networking with purpose: Devon doesn’t have family connections. So he needs to build some. Talk to professors, career counselors, older students. Go to free events. Join student orgs with career ties.
- Using the system: Schools often have money sitting in scholarship funds that go unclaimed. Apply. Every semester. Ask financial aid about emergency grants. Devon found out he could get a $500 textbook grant just by asking.
Devon has to learn the difference between being broke and being poor. Being broke is temporary. Being poor becomes permanent when you don’t get strategic.
Making Money Without Breaking Yourself
Devon works part-time in the school cafeteria. It’s not glamorous, but it pays. Here’s what we advised him:
Don’t get trapped in low-wage jobs. Work them if you must, but only while building a skill or credential that leads to better pay. Otherwise, you’ll still be making $14 an hour five years from now.
Look for income you can grow. Here are realistic options for someone in college and from limited means:
- Freelance services: Devon learned Canva and now makes flyers for student orgs. Later, that could turn into freelance graphic design gigs.
- Campus ambassador roles: Many companies pay students to promote their products, this is hustle with branding experience.
- Online tutoring or mentoring: If you’re good at a subject, offer peer tutoring. Some schools will even pay you.
The key? Think long-term. If you’re trading your time, try to gain something else, skills, network, resume builders, not just a paycheck.
Understanding How the World Works, Not Just How It Should Work
Devon got frustrated after his first job fair. He wore a cheap suit, talked to five recruiters, and got ignored. Meanwhile, a kid with a designer blazer and family connections got three interviews.
Here’s what we told him: The world isn’t fair, but it’s predictable. And once you understand the patterns, you can play the game better, even if the rules weren’t made for you.
- Appearance matters (even if it shouldn’t). If you can’t afford a good outfit, go to your school’s career center, many offer free professional clothing closets.
- Connections matter. Start now, even if it feels awkward. You don’t need to know CEOs. Just connect with people who are a step ahead.
- Reputation follows you. Professors, TAs, even classmates might recommend you someday. Don’t fade into the background.
Devon’s Mental Health Check: The Cost of Carrying Too Much
We need to be honest here. Growing up poor, Black, Brown, disabled, queer, whatever your situation, takes a toll on your mental health. Especially when you try to “make it out.”
Devon started getting panic attacks in his second semester. Not because he wasn’t capable. But because the pressure was relentless. He felt guilty for being away from home. Felt like a fraud in college. Felt like if he failed, it would confirm everyone’s worst assumptions.
You might feel this too. The pressure to “make it” isn’t just about pride, it’s survival for your family.
So here’s the advice: Seek help. Mental health counseling, peer groups, spiritual mentors, whatever fits you. Don’t wait until you break down. Healing is part of the hustle.
What Devon Is Doing Now: A Realistic Path Forward
Devon isn’t rich. He still lives lean. But he’s got a plan now:
- Work-study + freelancing: Steady income without overworking.
- Digital skill-building: Free courses on YouTube and Coursera to build up his resume.
- Financial habits: Saving 10% of every paycheck, no matter how small. Using a prepaid debit card to control spending.
- Community: Mentorship through an urban leadership program and monthly check-ins with a financial coach.
He still has bad days. But he’s no longer drifting. He’s designing a way forward.
Final Words: You’re Not Lazy. You’re Tired. And You’re Capable.
If you grew up like Devon, you’ve already survived more than most people could imagine. That resilience isn’t weakness, it’s your foundation.
So don’t be ashamed if you’re starting from zero. Just start with the truth. Make a plan that fits your life, not someone else’s fantasy. Use what you have. Build slowly.
You don’t have to go fast. You just have to go forward.
The Broke College Student 
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