Our Model
FirstGen Ahead is dedicated to empowering first-generation college students with the knowledge, skills, networks, and opportunities to successfully transition from college to career.
We do this in partnership with organizations in the greater Boston area that are committed to closing the opportunity gap.
“I joined FirstGen Ahead to pursue the best future for myself, in order not to waste the sacrifices that got me to where I am.” –Sebastien
Be Career Ready.
First-generation college students from partner organizations (beginning fall semester of junior year and continuing to spring semester of senior year) benefit from:
One-on-One Coaching with a Seasoned Professional
The one-one-one coaching is tailored to meet the individualized career exploration and preparation needs of first-generation college students. Each student chooses from 2-3 FirstGen Ahead coach options rather than being assigned to a coach for the 17-month period of bi-weekly career support.
Student agency is one of our guiding principles.
Peer Support in a Professionally Facilitated, Monthly Online Group
During the fall semester of junior year, students participate in a small group, hands-on team networking project. During the spring semester as each student focuses on professional networking, students support each other finalizing marketing materials, perfecting elevator pitches, improving interviewing skills, and identifying summer internship opportunities.
Networking Opportunities
Students participate in FirstGen Ahead sponsored events.
Project-Based Work
FirstGen Ahead has a range of paid professional development opportunities for interested students that combine learning with the production of tangible products that advance the FirstGen Ahead mission, such as website development, conducting informational interviews, assisting with academic research, and writing articles.
Ongoing Communications
Students receive a monthly newsletter to facilitate learning and community building.
Become Career Competent.
Employers are more likely to hire people who are eager to succeed and demonstrate they are ready to work. Over a 17-month period, FirstGen Ahead students are guided to achieve competencies identified by NACE for career readiness:
Career & Self Development
Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.
Students are coached on how to navigate and explore job options, understanding and taking the steps necessary to pursue opportunities, and learning how to self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace.
Communication
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.
Students practice public speaking skills; expressing ideas to others; and writing/editing memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively.
Critical Thinking
Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.
Students learn to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and are coached to demonstrate originality and inventiveness.
Leadership
Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
Students practice assessing and managing their emotions and those of others; using empathetic skills to guide and motivate; and receive coaching on how to organize, prioritize, and delegate work.
Professionalism
Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.
Students are coached on what it means to act with integrity and ethical behavior, with responsibility to the interests of the larger community in mind, and the importance of learning from their mistakes in a professional setting.
Teamwork
Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
Students practice working within a team structure and are coached on successful ways to negotiate and manage conflict.