Azmitia, M., Sumabat-Estrada, G., Cheong, Y., & Covarrubias, R. (2018). “Dropping out is not an option”: How educationally resilient frst-generation students see the future. In C. R. Cooper & R. Seginer (Eds.), Navigating Pathways in Multicultural Nations: Identities, Future Orientation, Schooling, and Careers. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development. 00, 1–12. 6 “Dropping Out is Not an Option”: How Educationally Resilient First-Generation Students See the Future Margarita Azmitia, Grace Sumabat-Estrada, Yeram Cheong, Rebecca Covarrubias Abstract First-generation college students (FGCS) often have different cultural values, practices, and goals from those of students from college-going families. As they navigate college, FGCS coordinate these values, practices, and goals with those of their families, noncollege-going friends, and communities. We draw on lon- gitudinal and cross-sectional studies of FGCS attending a public university in California to address three research questions: (1) What challenges do FGCS face in their transition to and through college?; (2) What resources do they use to surmount these challenges?; and (3) What is the association between FGCS’ re- sources and challenges and their academic persistence and career goals? Results showed that FGCS who surmounted challenges and persisted toward graduation had emotional support from family and friends from home; developed supportive relationships with university peers, staff, and faculty; and believed that college would allow them to attain their future life and career goals. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT, no. 00, xxx 2018 © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). • DOI: 10.1002/cad.20240 1