Over the past three decades, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld has not only taught graduate students about industrial relations, engineering systems, human resources, operations, and strategy, but he has mentored hundreds of students along the way. He is a professor at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and has been a coach with FirstGen Ahead for two years.
In reflecting on his role as a coach, Joel says, “We know well the historic challenges faced by women, students of color, and others with visible differences. What’s less well known, but equally important, are challenges faced by first-generation students, whose identity as first-gen is not usually visible. Still, first-gen students haven’t benefited from a network to tell them the unspoken rules of the game. My work as a coach, first and foremost, is to share what I know as they navigate the transition from college to career.” One recent example is a FirstGen Ahead student who thought that it was only possible to apply to one internship at a time (sequentially). Joel was able to help the student realize that it was expected that he would apply to multiple internships at a time (simultaneously). Joel further shared that once his FirstGen Ahead student accepted an internship offer, he needed to let any other employers he was interviewing with know of his decision. This is an example of knowing the unspoken rules of the game.
For him personally, Joel was born into a family that knew the rules of the game. He followed in his parents’ footsteps in becoming a professor. Over a lifetime, he has benefited from mentors who are pillars in their professions. He has never taken this privilege for granted. It’s a motivator for being there for others, including his FirstGen Ahead students who have not had the same exposure and opportunities. Joel adds, “This is a profoundly challenging time, with the accumulated stress of the pandemic and the revealed disparities that are acutely felt by the FirstGen Ahead students. The transition from college to careers can be difficult for all, but it is more important than ever for first-gen students. What is so motivating is seeing my students continue to make progress despite the inherent challenges. I will be with them every step of the way.”
