Building Equitable Pathways to Soulfilling Work for First-Gen Students of Color (Frost 101)

Are your students succeeding because of your institution, or in spite of it? Post-graduate outcome reports typically erase the challenges and barriers faced by many first-generation college graduates of color when seeking gainful employment. In this session, we will explore data from a critical narrative study amplifying the college-to-career transitions of first-generation college graduates of color. Although structural barriers were present at each educational and professional milestone, participants used community cultural wealth to persist toward decent work. After a brief presentation and introduction to key terms, attendees will review a participant testimonial and discuss how community cultural wealth may be leveraged to re-design barriers into pathways to decent work. We will discuss potential implications for supporting equitable career development of first-generation professionals of color though identity-conscious, holistic approaches that require staff & faculty partnerships. Anyone who serves in an advising, career development, access or instructional role may benefit from the collective learning in this session.