America Needs You – FirstGenU

Youth economic advancement

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

First-gen college students historically lack guidance on the higher-ed system, navigating a more complex academic, social, and cultural transition into college than their more affluent peers (Institute for Higher Education Policy, 2012). Low-income first-gen college students are predominantly non-white, coming from communities historically marginalized, disenfranchised, and excluded resulting in less access to institutional cultural and social capital, especially in higher education. This exclusion impacts first-gen college students' graduation rates and their ability to find a job post-graduation. Hart Research Associates (2013) said hiring managers desired graduates with practical experience to secure full-time, entry-level roles; skills rarely mastered in a classroom alone. These service gaps result in a median household income 27% lower than their peers with college-educated parents (Pew Research, 2021). 

Our 2-year in-person Fellows program receives requests every year from regions we cannot serve, and we firmly believe that technology will help us reach students in new areas. FirstGenU provides students with valuable career development skills and virtual enrichment opportunities they may not have access to otherwise. Students complete modules focused on three key phases of career development: Job Search Skills, Leadership Skills, and Career Management Skills. Each phase contains five modules containing 3-6 lessons adapted from our award-winning Fellows Program curriculum. As interest in the program grew, we transformed our program model to offer a more structured cohort-based program design called the FirstGenU Career Institute, offered five times each year. During the Career Institute, students access our curriculum and virtual enrichment opportunities with volunteers from ANY’s corporate partners. Upon finishing the program, students are awarded a digital badge and given access to a professional network and future enrichment opportunities. Additionally, they receive an invitation to a private LinkedIn group exclusive to FirstGenU members, a monthly newsletter featuring internship information, and various other benefits.

Our 2-year Fellows program receives requests every year from regions we cannot serve, and we firmly believe that technology will help us reach students in new areas. Since 2021, we have seen the benefits of remote programming first-hand, including program scalability and increased accessibility for students, mentors, and partner companies. By leveraging our experience with virtual learning to expand services through FirstGenU, we aim to help 10,000 first-generation students prepare for and navigate their careers by 2026.We now have a dedicated staff member in Los Angeles County building relationships and formal agreements with colleges and universities.We know the impact an online program like FGU can have with a diverse population as spread out as LA County, where transportation due to commute time are huge barriers to Angelenos, especially first-generationcollege students historically from low-income backgrounds.

Guided by NACE career competencies, ANY will finalize quantitative and qualitative outcome goals for FirstGenU participants based on exploratory pre- and post-assessments in the pilot year. These exploratory assessments are focused on skill sharing and skill development. Currently, 97% of post-assessments in our Job Search and Leadership Skills Pathways continue to score 80%.After completing on of our Career Institutes, between 85-99% of students report they more prepared to pursue their career goals, better equipped to submit high-quality applications, more prepared to interview successfully, more motivated to accomplish their academic goals, more connected to a network of first-generation peers, more connected to a network of professionals, would recommend FirstGenU to a friend.The Net Promoter Score for the FirstGenU Career Institute was 66.