Welcome to The First-Generation Affinity Community Page! #ProudToBeTheFirst
Navigating college and career readiness can be overwhelming when you are a first-generation college student. This web page will provide advice, resources, and networking opportunities tailored to your needs to help you gain the most from your college experience and feel more confident and prepared after graduation.
What does first-generation mean/who is first-gen?
Depending on who you’re asking, the definition of first-gen students can be a bit different. Here at the Fleishman Center, we align with the following definition:
- Neither of your parents or guardians with whom you live earned a baccalaureate degree or higher.
- Your parents or guardians may have attempted to go to college, but dropped out.
- Your parents or guardians did not go to college at all, or may not have graduated from high school or grade school.
- You are the first in your family to attend and graduate college, but could also mean you have an older sibling who may have already attended or graduated college.
- Your parents or guardians may have earned a degree in another country, and are either:
- unable to help their student navigate the American educational system.
- unable to obtain a career in their educational field in this country.
- You self-identify as first-generation college student, as you lack support and guidance from your parents or guardians (even though one or both may have degrees).
This web page is designed to be open to all Binghamton University students, faculty and staff regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law.
Resources to get you started
As a first-generation college student, you may be navigating many aspects of career development for the first time, from understanding how internships and recruiting processes work to building professional networks and exploring career paths without a family blueprint for these experiences. This process can feel both exciting and unfamiliar as you begin to translate your strengths and interests into long-term career goals.
This section is designed to help you move through that process with greater clarity and confidence. You’ll find strategies for navigating key steps in career development, including networking, gaining experience, and understanding workplace expectations, along with curated resources that support mentorship, professional growth, and access to career opportunities across industries.
The Fleishman Center has developed The Path to Career Confidence and Clarity to help students identify what stage of the career journey they’re in. It’s a simple four-step journey all about helping you go from understanding yourself to making confident career decisions. We’ve designed it to help you explore your options with purpose and reflect on what you learn along the way. If you’re unsure which stage you’re in or need help developing a plan, make an appointment with the Fleishman Center! It can be helpful to talk to a career consultant in person or on Zoom!
This is the first and most important step in figuring out your career path. Before you can connect with different jobs, you need to understand who you are. This means thinking about your interests, what’s important to you (your values), what you’re good at (your skills), and what drives you.
Ask yourself:
- What truly gets you excited?
- When do you feel like you’re doing your best work?
- How do your personal values guide your choices?
- What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them?
Now that you know more about yourself, it’s time to connect that knowledge with different career paths. This will help you find careers that bring you confidence and clarity. Our goal is to help you narrow down your interests to a few areas by doing some focused research.
Ask yourself:
- What do I already know about different job opportunities?
- Have I explored a variety of options, or just a few?
- Am I ready to do some research to find facts that will help me make good decisions?
If you’re at this stage, you’re ready to explore and take action! Getting hands-on experience is key. Take the career areas you’re interested in and find ways to get involved.
Here are some ideas:
- Internships
- Job shadowing (following someone at their job for a day)
- Volunteering in your community
- Getting involved with campus clubs or activities
- Studying abroad
- Doing research
Think about: What kind of experience makes the most sense for the area you want to explore?
You’ve gained valuable experience and are closer to feeling confident and clear about your career! Now it’s time to get more experience, improve your skills, and grow your network.
Think about:
- What events or opportunities can help you connect with more people in your field?
- What experiences or skills are you missing?
We’ve compiled a list of tips and best practices to support your career journey.
Networking is simply the process of building professional relationships and learning from others. Attend employer events, connect with alumni, join student organizations, and schedule informational interviews to learn about different career paths and industries.
Career centers, academic advisors, faculty members, and student support offices can help with career exploration, resumes, interviewing, internship searches, and graduate school planning. Taking advantage of these resources early can help you feel more prepared throughout your college experience.
Many students hesitate to apply for internships, leadership roles, or jobs because they don’t meet every qualification listed. Employers often expect candidates to continue learning on the job. If you’re interested in an opportunity and meet many of the qualifications, consider applying. Do not count yourself out!
Every professional environment has workplace norms and expectations. Seek out mentors, ask questions, attend career workshops, and participate in internships or student-led experiences like student organizations can help you gain familiarity with professional environments and gain confidence.
First-generation students often develop adaptability, resilience, problem-solving skills, and determination through their lived experiences and educational journeys. These experiences can be valuable assets and serve as powerful examples of transferable skills to share in interviews, career fairs and during networking events.
We’ve compiled a list of 5 top resources and opportunities to support your career journey as a first-gen student. Click each box below to learn more about the resource. See the resources section for a more comprehensive list.
The Binghamton First-Generation (BFirst) Committee serves as a hub for first-generation student support by connecting students with professional development opportunities, networking events and programs designed to foster success both during and after college. Through mentorship, community engagement and educational programming, BFirst helps students build confidence, develop meaningful connections and navigate their academic and career journeys.
CareerSpring is a free platform designed to support first-generation and low-income students through mentorship, career coaching, networking, and job opportunities. Students can connect with professionals from a wide range of industries for one-on-one guidance and career advice
Management Leadership for Tomorrow provides leadership development, career preparation, networking opportunities, and employer connections. Its programs are particularly valuable for students interested in business, consulting, finance, technology, and other competitive industries.
America Needs You supports first-generation college students through mentorship, career readiness training, professional development, and networking opportunities. Students gain practical guidance on internships, interviewing, workplace success, and career planning.
I’m First! offers stories, advice, and resources created specifically for first-generation students. The platform highlights student and professional experiences, helping students navigate college and career pathways with greater confidence.
