Completing a college degree is a great accomplishment, but for first-generation college students, it signifies breaking barriers and setting the foundation for the next generation. Recent first generation graduates have not only reached the finish line of a long arduous academic journey, but are merely at the beginning of their next odyssey of being a first generation professional.
To the first-gen graduates, this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your lives. You have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first person in your family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, and this accomplishment is a remarkable feat. As you embark on your professional journey, here are some valuable tips that we, at First Gen Legacy, wish someone had given us:
1. Celebrate and Connect on LinkedIn:
Take a moment to celebrate your achievement by updating your LinkedIn profile with a graduation post. First-generation students, who are trailblazers in their families, often lack the social capital and professional connections that comes with having professional parents. Unlike students with parents in professional careers, they don’t have a ready-made network to tap into. This is why it is crucial to build your own network by reaching out to undergraduate mentors, advisors, faculty, and peers. Staying in touch with them allows you to showcase your accomplishments and foster valuable connections. LinkedIn provides a free platform to connect and stay in touch with those professionals.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking and connecting with professionals in your field. One common mistake first-gen students make is asking for a job before establishing a relationship. That’s why we recommend focusing on building relationships, showcasing your accomplishments, and creating new content. Through these actions, you can cultivate meaningful relationships. Once others identify you as an important contributor in your field, they may connect you with relevant job opportunities.
2. Know Your Worth:
As you enter the job market, it’s essential to research salaries for your chosen profession. Understanding the standard pay for your position, role, title, and experience will help you negotiate a fair starting salary. Be aware of the gender and diversity pay gaps and advocate for equal compensation. In many cases, first generation graduates do not know the average starting salaries and accept lower offers, because that low offer is typically more income than anyone in their immediate family has ever made. First Gen Legacy recommends salary.com, a free service, as a good starting point to find the average salary for your first job. Another great resource is glassdoor.com.
3. Negotiate Your Offer:
Don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary and benefits package with your first employer. The starting salary you accept can set the baseline for your future earnings. The average early career professional will continue to incrementally earn more income via promotions and new positions. However, if a first generation starting salary out of college is lower than their peers, those incremental increases may never allow them to catch up to their peers.
We get asked this question all the time: ‘If I negotiate, will they rescind the offer.’ Well, here’s the thing – if an employer retracts their offer simply because you wanted to negotiate, it might be an indication that they are not the best employer to work with. In such a situation, you are probably better off not accepting their low offer. In addition, many states like California have employee protection rights that do not allow employers to take advantage of employees.
Be confident in your abilities and the value you bring to the table. Remember that if you don’t advocate and negotiate for yourself, no one else will! You have to carry this responsibility alone.
Starting a new job can be overwhelming, but finding a coach, mentor, or advocate at your workplace can make a significant difference. Different roles may require different support systems, so be proactive in seeking guidance to thrive in your professional environment.
Support doesn’t have to come from a supervisor; it can be provided by anyone. Often, the best support comes from someone at the same level as you, who may have been with the organization for a bit longer or might not be a first-generation professional.
4. Seek Guidance and Support:
Starting a new job can be overwhelming, and finding a coach, mentor, or advocate at your workplace can make a significant difference. Different roles may require different support systems, so be proactive in seeking guidance to thrive in your professional environment.
Support doesn’t have to come from only a supervisor; it can be provided by anyone. Different people have different strengths, so it makes sense that you must build an “executive cabinet”, where a group of people provide you support and guidance in their areas of expertise. Often, the best support comes from someone at the same level as you, who may have been with the organization for a bit longer or might also be a first-generation professional.
Join professional organizations and groups within your specific field. Just as you had to find your people (your community) during your first year in college, you must also find your professional community during your first years of professional work. There are many professional communities out there, such as the TRiO Alumni Network, that can help you transition into the professional work world. Use LinkedIn to find these communities, join them, and meet other people. Put yourself out there and attend meet and greets, conferences, and other events that provide the space to build community, because none of us can do it alone.
5. Read “The Unspoken Rules”:
A valuable resource for all first-gen professionals is Gorick Ng’s book, “The Unspoken Rules.” This book sheds light on the unwritten guidelines of the professional workplace, equipping first generation professionals with the essential knowledge to navigate corporate culture effectively.
6. Embrace Continuous Learning:
As a first-gen professional, you may encounter a steep learning curve in your new role. Embrace this opportunity for growth and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Just like when you began your bachelor’s degree, there’s always something new to learn, and seeking answers will only make you more knowledgeable and confident.
Informational interviews are a great way to ask your questions and seek new knowledge. A quick reminder that an informational interview is when you interview another professional about their career path. As an interviewer, you get to ask them any questions you might have on your mind. Question topics range from how did you master your role/title, to how did you get promoted from one level to another, from how did you find advocates and mentors at this company? Really, any questions are valid as long as you are up front about the type of informational interview you are interested in. Most of the time, people find it easy to answer questions about their careers and enjoy paying it forward and helping young early career professionals.
7. Pay It Forward:
Remember the support and guidance that helped you reach this milestone? First-generation mentors play a crucial role in guiding the next generation of professionals. Being first-generation themselves, they possess a fundamental understanding of your background, the obstacles you might have faced, and the fact that sometimes we are unaware of what we don’t know.
Mentorship and encouragement can make a significant impact on someone else’s journey, just as it did on yours. First Gen Legacy encourages you also Pay it forward by assisting others who are striving to achieve goals that you have already achieved. Remember just as there will always be someone in front of you, working hard to pave an easier path for you, there will also always be someone behind you, hoping you are willing to help pave the path for them.
To the graduates, congratulations once again on your well-earned degrees and joining the First Gen professional community. Your achievements represent determination, resilience, and the pursuit of a better future. As you step into the professional world, remember to stay connected, advocate for your worth, seek guidance, continue learning, and pay it forward. You have the potential to create a lasting impact, not just in your own life but in the lives of others who follow in your footsteps. Best of luck as you step into your genius!