After a few months into the pandemic this past summer, three FirstGen Ahead students joined me in conducting qualitative research following the career trajectories of students who graduated from college during the 2009 Great Recession. We wanted to know about their experiences entering a tough job market, how their careers unfolded during the past decade, and what advice they’d give to students who are graduating from college during the pandemic. The themes that emerged from this research highlighted differences between first-generation college alums and continuing-generation college alums. The students who participated in the research enhanced their communication and research skills, gained valuable and applicable knowledge for what may lie ahead as soon-to-be college graduates, and expanded their professional networks. We reported on some of the findings in the last newsletter and report on additional findings here.
Like it was over a decade ago, it will be a challenging job market for our seniors. Hiring for entry-level college graduates fell 45% at the start of the pandemic according to a study by Burninglass Technologies. However, their research also shows that those who have the problem-solving, communication, and technical skills employers seek not only stand out but also command a 30% salary premium.
So how do students gain these skills employers seek? Awareness, resourcefulness, and determination are key. At FirstGen Ahead, we are committed to preparing first-generation college students to succeed after college with skill-building and network-expanding opportunities, which are even more critically important in a difficult job market.
Susan Gershenfeld, PhD
