Career exploration and advancement are closely tied to one’s intersections of identity. The best Northeastern resource for career-related topics will be the Office of Employer Engagement and Career Design. Reach out to them for support in coaching groups and the Career Studio, which can provide one-on-one support to questions and tailored resources. They also offer many different coaching labs, which you can RSVP for here or on NUworks.
Northeastern Resources
Many offices at Northeastern will help you with identity related resources. NU PLACE has partnered with the following offices to provide support for students and alumni with underrepresented racial, cultural, and/or ethnic identities to develop and achieve your career goals:
- Center for Intercultural Engagement
- Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- Social Justice Resource Center
Check out the main Career Resources page for more resources.
The Center for Intercultural Engagement hosts many events that pertain to first generation students. A first generation college student is defined as one whose guardians have not completed a 4-year college degree or whose guardians do not have prior experience in higher education and may not be as prepared as others to help them navigate a higher education institution. Keep an eye on their calendar here for upcoming and past events. They also host First Gen Week, a celebration of first-generation students, staff, and faculty that allows them to share their strengths and perspectives.
Join the First-Gen, Low -Income Student Union – This student-led organization has a mission of supporting first-generation and low-income students as they adjust to their new environment, lifestyle, and academic life. Here is their Instagram, Facebook, and Link Tree.
National Resources
- Center for First-Generation Student Success – Contains resources for fist-generation students as well as those wanting to learn more about the first-gen experience. Provides access to programming and networking.
- First in Family Scholarships – Browse this website for different scholarships you can apply to.
- Online Guide for First Generation College Students – This article contains very helpful information on problems that a first-gen student may face and how they can overcome those challenges.
Tips for First-Generation Students
- Joining a professional association will allow you to find opportunities to network with individuals working in the same profession as you do and possibly mentorship!
- Young professionals benefit from gaining mentorship throughout their careers, as a mentor may bring years of knowledge and experiences to best prepare you for challenges you may face in the workplace.
- Joining as a student member is less expensive than joining as a professional.
- Some professional associations provide scholarships for members interested in entering the field, job listings, and reduced rates for student members to attend their conferences.
- Whether you are job/internship searching, finding a job description of a role that you are interested in applying to will help you start tailoring your resume.
- Look at the technical/soft skills highlighted in the job description(s) and look for ways to incorporate them into your resume.
- Alumni are more likely to respond to your request and connect, as they have been in your shoes before! Learn how to ask for informational interviews
- As a Husky student and alumni, you have access to NUsourcea platform designed exclusively for Northeastern alumni and community members around the globe! In addition to connecting with alumni, there are project opportunities where you can gain more skills and experiences while being mentored by alumni. Get ready to tap into the power of your network to achieve what’s next!
Read this article here for more tips for first generation students. It contains advice and information on finding your right fit, reaching out for help, and keeping perspective.