First Generation Students
Your identities can be an important part of your career, and may influence how you explore your options, prepare your story, decide on opportunities, or approach your career goals. TC NEXT is dedicated to providing information and resources that can support your career development as a first generation identifying student. The below resources can help you answer questions regarding first-gen identity, navigating graduate school opportunities, evaluating potential employers, the job search, finding community, and more
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TC Specific
- TC celebrates first generation students & faculty, and is committed to amplifying their stories, read more at: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/first-gen/
- Legal Resources for International and Undocumented Students
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Information for First-Generation Students
- What does First Generation mean?
- It may depend on who you ask and it can be complicated, but the most standard definition is that being a first-gen student means that your parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree. This might look like your parents having taken classes, but not finishing their degree; or, that they received a degree outside of the United States. Colleges and universities may use any variation of this definition, so be sure to ask your admissions counselor, academic advisor, or a faculty member to learn more.
- TC welcomes trailblazers, the individuals who are among the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. Join our vibrant community filled with fresh faces and diverse worldviews dedicated to helping students thrive. We work collaboratively to decrease the achievement gap for underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income students.
Article: How first-generation college students can find internships and jobs
Article: Advice for helping first-generation students succeed in graduate school
Article: You’re a first-generation graduate student—how do you succeed?
Article: On Mentoring First Generation And Graduate Students Of Color
Podcast: First Gen Lounge: Professional Development
Podcast Episode: Being A First-Generation PhD Student
Video: Overcoming imposter syndrome | Office Hours with Scott Rising
Video: What I have learned as a first-generation college student | Lyric Swinton | TEDxUofSC
Risefirst offers over 1200 curated resources to support the success of first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students and professionals nationwide in achieving their full potential.
Center for First-Generation Student Success: “while we do not work with first-gen students directly, we want to help you navigate your institutions and locate more information that will allow you to succeed. Check out the sections below to get started.”