Join us in celebrating the first-generation college graduate community!

Every year, CareerSpring joins colleges, employers, and communities nationwide to celebrate first-generation college students and graduates: the determination that got them here, and the futures they're building.

Every first-gen student has a story: the first college application in the family, the late-night shifts between classes, the first internship offer, the moment it all started to feel possible. This year, we're putting those stories front and center, along with the stories of the Advisors, Employer Partners, and Education Partners who help write the next chapter.

What is First-Gen College Celebration Week?

National First-Generation College Celebration Day takes place every November 8th, the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which opened doors to college for millions of students from low-income backgrounds. Since 2017, institutions across the country have used the day, and now the whole week around it, to honor first-generation students and the contributions they make in their communities and workplaces.

Since our founding in 2020, CareerSpring has celebrated the day every year. It is our biggest moment to raise awareness of first-gen and low-income (FGLI) students, and it is our one annual fundraising campaign.

How to Get Involved

For Employers

Share on LinkedIn. Post one of our graphics with our suggested caption, tag CareerSpring, and use #CelebrateFirstGen. Visit our toolkit.
Host a Lunch & Learn. Introduce your staff to volunteering as a CareerSpring Advisor.
Hire first-gen talent. Become an Employer Partner and connect with Advisees nationwide.
Give through your workplace. Add CareerSpring to your giving portal (Benevity, YourCause, Cybergrants, and others).

For Colleges, Schools & Community Organizations

Invite us to your First-Gen events. We'd love to table, present, or join a panel to share our free Career Platform and app.
Share the celebration on social media or in your newsletter. Visit our toolkit.
Partner with us. Become an Education Partner and give your students free access to CareerSpring.

For Volunteers & Professionals

Share your story. Are you first-gen? Tell your network what it meant to you, and tag CareerSpring. Visit our toolkit for suggested posts and captions.
Become an Advisor. Offer a career conversation, a résumé review, or a mock interview, on your schedule. Complete our Volunteer Interest Form here.

For Students & Young Alumni

Join CareerSpring for free to connect with Advisors, events, and job and internship opportunities. Get started.
Tell your story on LinkedIn or Instagram with #CelebrateFirstGen and tag @CareerSpring. Visit our toolkit for suggested posts and captions.

Support First-Gen Students

First-Gen Week is CareerSpring's one annual fundraising campaign. Your gift keeps every CareerSpring resource free for the students who need it most and helps more first-gen students write the next chapter of their story. Give monthly to make an impact all year: $50 a month sponsors an Advisee.

Support First-Gen Students