FirstGen Ahead is dedicated to empowering first-generation college students to launch into successful careers after college. While there is growing assistance for first-gen students to get to and through college, there is very little support after that. Completing college is a major life accomplishment, but it is not a guarantee of success. This is the first newsletter reporting on the pilot launch of FirstGen Ahead career coaching.
I have been working with a great team to launch FirstGen Ahead. The launch follows two years of studying the impact of career coaching, focusing on low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Our model is based on an analysis of the limited existing models of support and identification of gaps in this landscape. FirstGen Ahead is all about supporting first-generation college students through one-on-one career coaching, and an online guided curriculum, which also serves as a peer support group. The focus is on building the understanding, skills, and networks to successfully land a relevant college internship, followed by a strong first position post college.
This pilot has been launched, in part, through a partnership with the Steppingstone Foundation (to recruit students) and Empower Success Corp (to recruit coaches). Ten enterprising students completed the application, interview, and coach selection process. The students are enrolled in private and public colleges in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Oregon and are majoring in business, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. In total, our amazing coaches bring over 250 years of work experience in a range of industries including technology, health care, sports & entertainment, business, law, higher education, and the not-for-profit sector. In our newsletters and blog posts, coaches and students will find resources and data to keep informed, engaged, and maybe even inspired.
Susan Gershenfeld, PhD
