Being a first-generation student never leaves you.
That’s why we started The First-Generation Professionals Movement — an exclusive environment where first-gen professionals can get the support and community they need.
The purpose of The First-Generation Professional Movement is to provide a safe space for first-generation professionals to ask questions, give advice, and find resources on how to succeed in the workplace. The movement was founded by Barrier Breakers®, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to helping first-generation and marginalized students and professionals succeed before, during, and after higher education.
Our First-Generation Resources
Private LinkedIn Group
Our monitored, private LinkedIn group provides a space to ask your questions and network with fellow first-gen professionals.
Free Downloadable Guide
Created by a first-gen professional for first-gen professionals, this guide gives you need-to-know advice for advancing in the workplace.
First-Gen Pride Badges
As a member of our community, showcase your first-gen pride with badges for your LinkedIn page and email signature!
Who “counts” as first-generation?
There are a myriad of interpretations of first-generation, causing various researchers to site anywhere between 22% to 77% of students being first-gen. The traditional definition is a student whose parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.
Our version of the definition is expanded to be: A student or professional who is the first of their generation to have a traditional four year college experience.
This expansion allows us to include groups that are similarly under-resourced, such as:
Non-first-born-children whose siblings may have attended but parents didn’t
Children of parents who earned degrees later in life, therefore not going through the “traditional” admissions and student experience
Children of parents with degrees from non-American institutions
Foster children who may not know what degrees their parents obtained
And more!