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Overview

FirstGenU is ANY’s virtual program developed specifically for first-generation college students and provided in partnership with the Morgan Stanley Institute for Inclusion. Through FirstGenU, students have access to a high-production online curriculum and virtual enrichment events designed to help them build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workforce. Students are also joining a community of first-generation peers who are committed to career success. 

FirstGenU currently offers five modules that are focused on essential skills needed to attain professional internships and jobs. Each module is self-paced and takes less than an hour to complete. Learn more about each of our module here, or watch our demo video to get a glimpse into our curriculum. 

  • Connecting the Dots: College to Career 
  • Networking & Career Planning 
  • Preparing Application Materials 
  • Interview Skills 
  • Navigating Workspaces 

Joining FirstGenU 

Students can register for a FirstGenU Career Institute to gain access to our online curriculum. This is a FREE 6-week program during which students complete our self-paced modules and have the option to attend virtual enrichment events to dive deeper into the skills they are learning with their peers, America Needs You staff, and volunteers. Students who complete all available modules during their FirstGenU Career Institute will earn a digital badge, access to a professional network, information about internships, and other exciting benefits. FirstGenU Career Institutes are offered several times throughout the year.

We are currently recruiting students for our FirstGenU Career Institute: Summer II 2023. Register here by Wednesday, July 5th to join this upcoming cohort.

Eligibility Requirements

To join FirstGenU, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • You must be currently enrolled in college and completing an associate or bachelor’s degree
  • You must be a first-generation college student, meaning that neither parent/guardian has earned a bachelor’s degree in any country

 
Information Sessions

To learn more about FirstGenU, join us for our upcoming virtual information session: 

  • Wednesday, June 28th, at 12p EST / 11a CST / 10a MST/ 9a PST [REGISTER HERE] 

REGISTER BY JULY 5

FAQ

To participate in FirstGenU, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • You must be currently enrolled in college and completing an associate or bachelor’s degree
  • You must be a first-generation college student, meaning that neither parent/guardian has earned a bachelor’s degree in any country

You will earn the following benefits after completing all five available modules during the FirstGenU Career Institute:

  • Digital badge acknowledging your completion of the FirstGenU Career Institute
  • Invitation to a virtual celebration to acknowledge this accomplishment
  • Access to a network of 1000+ real-world professionals for personalized career advice
  • Exclusive invitation to a private FirstGenU LinkedIn group to share resources and connect with your peers
  • Information about internships and other professional development opportunities through a monthly newsletter
  • Continued access to the modules and participant notebooks to refresh your skills

Each of our five modules takes less than an hour to complete, so participating in a FirstGenU Career Institute is approximately a five-hour commitment – that’s less than an hour per week during our six-week program! Also, you can complete the modules on your own schedule and at your own pace.

During the FirstGenU Career Institute, you will be invited to live, virtual enrichment events where you will be able to connect with your peers, our staff, and volunteers. These events are not required however we encourage you to attend if you’re available as these are great opportunities to expand your network, practice the skills you are learning, and enhance your professional development. You will receive more information about these events during your time in the program.

Examples of previous enrichment events have included:

  • First-Generation Professionals Panel
  • Job Search Do’s & Don’ts Panel
  • Maximizing Your LinkedIn
  • Financial Planning 101

You will receive an email within a few days of registering for a FirstGenU Career Institute to confirm your acceptance to the program. Once the FirstGenU Career Institute officially begins you will gain access to our online modules, receive invitations to our virtual enrichment events, and receive weekly communications from us throughout the six-week program.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to FirstGenU@americaneedsyou.org. 

What Students Are Saying About FirstGenU

“FirstGenU is a great and free way to really understand how the job world works. It provides crucial information that school does not always prepare you for.”
AnnyUniversity of Oregon
Anny
“As a first-generation, Haitian-American college student, I’m aware that the odds are always against me. FirstGenU has prepared me to beat those odds. Through the courses, I’ve gained competencies that will allow me to enter any room confidently. My professional career looks bright, thanks to this program!"
RalphSaint Peter’s University
Ralph
“FirstGenU has helped me build confidence in myself and take the first steps toward my professional career. I have used the skills I learned to apply to multiple opportunities including internships and leadership positions.”
AlyssaRutgers University
Alyssa
“FirstGenU has helped me prepare for my future career by providing me with an easy-to-navigate curriculum that focuses on helping me develop essential skills needed to secure jobs and internships in my industry. Some of these skills include resume writing, interview preparation, career development, and networking.”
KelvinUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Kelvin
"FirstGenU helped me prepare for my future career because I can see what I need to work on for future interviews, the steps I need to take to understand the path I want to follow, and the connections I can create while doing it. I developed skills that will help me throughout my whole professional career.”
PamelaLoyola University Chicago
Pamela
“I encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity, we all go to college not only to learn but also as preparation for what we want to do for the rest of our lives. Any program that helps you to pursue your career and guides you along that path is a great opportunity, and FirstGenU is that type of program.”
JonathanBrooklyn College
Jonathan
“FirstGenU has helped me in areas that I didn’t even anticipate. Not only have I been able to learn vital interview skills, but I have also been able to improve my professionalism and learn networking tactics.”
JasmineUniversity of Pennsylvania
Jasmine
“Now that I’ve completed FirstGenU, I feel way more confident in my abilities because the topics were described clearly, there are templates that guide you, and the courses were interactive, so I retained a lot of what I learned.”
QuianaNew York University
Quiana
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Partnering with FirstGenU

If you work for a college, university, or community-based organization that supports first-generation college students, we would love to partner with you! FirstGenU is a flexible program and can be offered to students in a variety of different ways. Please reach out to firstgenu@americaneedsyou.org to learn more.

"I’m very excited about our partnership. FirstGenU is going to be invaluable to all students. Whether they’re traditional, non-traditional, or they’re in currently in the workforce and don’t have their dream job, they can use this content to catapult them."
Mary MercadoAssistant Director of Career Engagement and Experiential Learning, Saint Peter’s Univesity
Mary Mercado

The FirstGenU Experience

Questions?

If you have questions about FirstGenU, please reach out to firstgenu@americaneedsyou.org.

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