First Generation Students

First Generation Students

Books on a shelf in the library

The T. Rowe Price Career and Innovation Center is committed to advocating and supporting First Generation (“First-Gen”) students and alumni. First Gen students come from families where neither parent nor guardian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the United States or persisted past a high school diploma. 

This page is filled with resources, articles and tips to help you navigate the career process and prepare for next steps. Your path to college is filled with experiences that have given you marketable skills. We want to help you articulate those experiences in a way that can help you find a career path that aligns with your unique skills, interests, and goals. 

Career Coaching

According to NACE, these are some career barriers facing First-Gen college students: 

  • Less likely to access resources 
  • May lack a professional network or networking skills 
  • May not ask career-related questions or may be unfamiliar with the career development process 
  • May lack mentors or role models 
  • May not have the opportunity to take on a low-paying internship 

Our Career Coaches are versed in helping you navigate towards the many resources and opportunities available to you, especially when it comes to out-of-classroom experiences like research, internships, campus groups and events, and experiential learning. They can also support you in preparing for your next step after you graduate, such as graduate school or applying to full-time jobs. We want to make sure you can make the most of your experience at UCCS with individualized support. 

Resources

Career Support

Explore our website and if you want to learn more, schedule an appointment with one of our coaches or attend one of our many career events.

Additional Campus Resources

Professional Organizations

  • I’m First – An online community celebrating first-generation college students with links to first-generation friendly colleges and universities and student-directed questions and answers.

  • Rise First – Empowers first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) students and professionals nationwide to achieve their full potential by providing life and career advice, lists of support resources and mentorship opportunities through a technology platform with online tools. This platform is built for and by FGLI students, providing a real-life business and professional experience.

  • First Gen Fellows – Organization that connects first-generation college students interested in civil rights and social justice to fellowship opportunities and an extensive network of alumni and participants. 

Articles