The right to a high-quality education runs deep in our veins as Americans. Our leadership in the world is often tied to our competitive advantage of a strong educational system from K-12 through post-secondary. There are so many incredible Americans who have been the first in their families to chart the path to college and beyond, including Oprah Winfrey, Leon Cooperman, Bill Clinton, Sonia Sotomayor, and Howard Schultz.
As I reflect on National First-Generation Day, I am thinking about the Higher Education Act that got signed into law on November 8, 1965, amid an era of great social change. This landmark legislation expanded access to colleges and universities by establishing federal financial aid programs, such as Pell Grants, and funding to support higher education institutions. It also created specific programs designed to support underrepresented groups. As a result, millions of low-income and first-generation college students gained the opportunity to pursue and earn a bachelor’s degree.
Despite nearly six decades of expanded access, many students still struggle to fully realize the law’s original intent which was to ensure the United States was not an economic caste system where your economic starting place determined your end point. Today only about 30% of the 1.4 million low-income or first-generation college students who enroll in college each year will graduate and secure a strong first job or enter graduate school. That’s more than one million students annually who are left without a path to the American Dream.
The good news is that we can reverse this trend. As the founder and CEO of Braven, a national non-profit which has spent the last decade working in deep partnership with higher education and employers to empower underrepresented college students on the path to strong first jobs after graduation, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of expanding career preparedness resources. With our higher education partners, Braven offers a career-accelerating course on the academic side of their education that provides college students skills development, access to industry networking, and work experience over the course of a semester and the six-month period following graduation, to support their transition into the workforce.
We’ve discovered that when students have career-readiness skills, strong networks, and opportunities to gain real-world practice experience, those students are more likely to secure a job with a living wage that puts them on a path to building wealth and the middle class. Seventy-six percent of our graduates nationally are already earning more in their first job out of college than their parents did at the same age. To put this in context, by the age of 30, Americans have a 50% chance of earning more than their parents.
As we celebrate National First-Gen Day, I wanted to share some strategies first-generation students can use as they navigate college and prepare for their careers.
Figure out your Ikigai
The Japanese concept “ikigai” helps individuals discover a fulfilling career path by identifying the intersection of four key questions: What do you love? What are you good at? What does the world need? What can you be paid to do? Ideally, your career path should align with your answers to these questions, even if the internships and jobs you hold change.
For example, I have a passion for working with students, excel in teaching and leadership, recognize the need for education, and can earn a living in an education-related role. Throughout my career, I’ve worked as a teacher, the leader of a local after school program, run talent for an education non-profit, and now serve as CEO of an education non-profit. While my roles evolved, my ikigai remained the same. I love coaching people to thrive to their greatest potential.
It’s important to remember that you may not have all of the answers to identify your ikigai immediately. However, being aware of this concept can help you stay attuned to the insights you gain as you attend classes, participate in events, and connect with new people.
Find career-accelerating opportunities
For college students, internships serve as critical proof points of experience that open professional doors, but they aren’t the only opportunities available to you. Volunteering, leadership roles in student groups, work study positions, fellowships, and online courses can also help you develop valuable skills and knowledge to accelerate your professional journey.
As you consider the various opportunities available to you, be sure to assess what each one offers. Career-advancing opportunities should help you develop career-relevant technical skills as well as enhance your communication skills, ability to work in teams, problem-solving skills, ability to work in teams, problem-solving skills, and your leadership skills.
Grow and cultivate your network
Building meaningful connections with professionals in your desired field is crucial. According to LinkedIn, 85% of all job positions are filled through networking, and many opportunities are never publicly advertised. This highlights the importance of growing your professional network.
You can foster relationships in a variety of ways, such as attending networking events, enhancing your LinkedIn presence, and making sure you get to deeply know your professors and peers. For example, if you find a course particularly interesting, take advantage of their office hours to ask questions about further learning and related job opportunities. If you’re a work-study student, leverage the connections you can make through that role.
Similarly, if you secure a career-accelerating opportunity such as an internship, this experience may help you discover a new mentor in your industry of interest. As you work with new supervisors and peers who are further along in their careers, you might find a natural connection that fosters ongoing mentorship. These relationships will be invaluable as you continue to refine your skills and advance in your career.
Once you establish new connections, it’s vital to maintain them. Stay in touch, continue to develop your skills and knowledge, and share your learnings.
By taking the time to figure out your ikigai, grow your network, identify mentors, and find career accelerating opportunities, you’ll make significant strides toward launching a successful career. Your college degree is a powerful asset, and these strategies will help you leverage it as you pursue the American Dream.