Meet Charbel Aoun | Pharmacy Student & First-Generation Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charbel Aoun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charbel, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
One of my favorite quotes is from Milton Berle, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” The more that I go back to this quote, the more I realize that it is not about seeking the best opportunities, job roles, innovative projects, but it is rather about showcasing to the world the best version of yourself. This quote demonstrates to me and everyone that I share it with that you will not get to your dream job or school without first evaluating yourself and what steps to take to better yourself. It is when you learned new skill sets, volunteered in new projects, or went out of your comfort zone and presented work you’ve completed that you can better yourself for the next opportunities at hand. This is the door that we refer to; it doesn’t matter how long it takes or what you need to make this door, but we must prepare ourselves to the best of our abilities so that when the opportunity does arrive, we can move forward. Going slow gets you there faster; as long as the door is the best representation of ourselves, will the opportunity be rewarded.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started a nonprofit organization named the Georgia First Generation Foundation, more commonly known as Georgia FirstGen. This nonprofit organization provides mentorship to support current high school first-generation students and their success beyond high school. I am most proud of the growth the organization has experienced since its five-year inception. From growing from a one-person team to a group of almost 30 volunteers, and now being able to support almost 200 high school students from a group of 15 high school students is gratifying. This journey was not easy, to say the least; the struggle to support students with the changes in society has made it a challenge. But our goal has always been to make students feel separate but connected with the changes in higher education. Whether it’s the administration of virtual education and the ever-changing guidelines to DACA recipients, we want to support the next generation of global leaders and forward-thinkers. To do so, we have to encourage students to break the mold that education has formed for years and be the change-makers to provide the future of healthcare, education, politics, business, and so many other careers and aspirations. I have learned through these challenges that there is not a single path to success, and rather the forks in the road are all getting you to the same destination. The mindset of “letting our aspirations determine our destinations” and never shying away from the good trouble that makes these obstacles overcome.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The great part about living in Georgia is the numerous places to visit and the experience you get to share. Personally, I would not have a concrete plan because of the different things to experience. What I think is most important is assuring that the time spent with friends is priceless and not so much where and what is being done when we go out. From visiting downtown cities and experiencing the smaller pubs and restaurants within smaller cities; to going to larger museums and parks exclusive to Georgia, I want to build on the friendship there and the experience of spending time with friends will always outweigh the places to visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I do not know where I would begin because there have been so many great influences that have been able to shape me into the leader and change-maker that I see myself to be. The biggest group of supporters in my life would have to be my family. Coming from a first-generation Lebanese household and being the first to do so many things could not be without the support of my parents and my four younger siblings. They have pushed me to reach outside my comfort zone and test the things that would normally be almost impossible to a younger Charbel. Family motivation is always the biggest motivator because, as first-gen students, we are pioneers in our families and almost serve as mediators between our family and the rest of the world. Secondly, I would have to thank the friends I have become so close with over the years. Specifically, I would have to thank a fellow first-gen leader and medical student Manuel Reyes. I have known him for over 6 years now, and our friendship is rooted in our passion for healthcare, family, and supporting others in the long run. Without the late-night calls, meetups, and constant support of all our successes, we keep each other accountable and our friendship even stronger than ever. By the same token, I have the honor of supporting students as a mentor, and one friend I also got to cultivate was with another future medical student, Camilo Hernandez. He has kept me accountable for everything that I set myself to, and these mentorships are the best, where both the mentor and mentee grow together. One final mentor, I must give kudos to is Dr. Bobby Gueh. He is a community leader and a high school counselor. He pushes the boundaries in student success and his guidance has made my personal and professional goals more attainable.

Website: https://linktr.ee/charbelaoun

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