FirstGen Ahead
March, 2020
Founder’s Message
The Covid-19 pandemic is changing our lives as we know it. While many students were getting ready for Spring Break, they learned they would not be returning to campus. We’re now in a Bear Market and there is fear of a global recession. As stress abounds, a summer internship may seem small in the grand order of things. How do you stay focused amongst all the uncertainty? Should your expectations change?

During the great recession that hit in 2008, with lower incomes, fewer job opportunities, and a rise in the unemployment rate, people entering the workforce (such as college students) were the most impacted. Students who graduate in a recession have a very difficult time finding the kinds of jobs they hoped to get after completing their degrees. The same is true for internships as students mostly do not have the relevant experience. Businesses are not doing well and have to reprioritize spending.

Here are a few pieces of advice if the crisis we’re now experiencing carries through to the summer. First, while we’ve emphasized at FirstGen Ahead the importance of a paid internship, gaining any relevant experience that will help you market yourself post college is important, even if it’s voluntary or part-time. You can combine this career-relevant experience with another part-time position that helps pay the bills. In addition, like other internships, they can still provide you with excellent networking opportunities. During the summer of 2008, about half way through the Great Recession, I know a rising college sophomore who pieced together three internships, all relevant to his future career; two were remote, and one was paid. 

Second, consider “job crafting.” This is where you take proactive steps to redesign what you do at your current job to further build the skills you seek for the future . For example, you might be in a service job that is not related to your major but you might sit down with your supervisor and offer to do a special project or study that would help the organization. Indicate classes you are taking that might be relevant and be creative. Not all supervisors will be receptive – some may not themselves have the authority to entertain options or may just be narrowly focused on the work – but you won’t know until you try.

Third, work on building a portfolio, even if it’s on your own time, that illustrates your skills that you can share with a future employer. Perhaps this is designing a website, writing a blog, publishing a research article, or developing a new app. Finally, talk with your FirstGen Ahead Coach because they will have good ideas, too!

Stay healthy and show creativity as you continue your summer internship searches during these challenging times.
Susan Gershenfeld, PhD
“ Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create .”
― Roy Bennett
Tips for Coping and Staying Emotionally Healthy During College Closures

Either temporary or for the foreseeable future, many college students are transitioning to online courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact goes beyond academics; it’s disruptive to relationships and can cause stress . Laura Horne , Chief Program Officer at Active Minds, offers the following tips for staying well:

1.      Maintain routines as much as possible.
2.      Practice healthy habits and the kinds of self-care that most benefit you. This includes prioritizing sleep, eating well, and exercising.
3.      Avoid crowds but stay connected . Though you’ll be distanced from people normally seen on campus, stay connected through video calls, social media, etc.
4.      Seek news only from reliable sources and only in short stints . Don’t become so absorbed in the news coverage that it interferes with your daily tasks.
5.      Take breaks to ease your mind when you start to worry . Distract yourself and do something you enjoy or try a meditation app .

If you feel these tips aren’t helping you cope nor walking with a friend outside doesn’t work, consider seeking professional guidance. Many therapists offer counseling via phone or video conferencing.
Showing compassion to yourself, family, and friends during this time helps all around.
Benefits Realized from a Virtual Internship

What if you want to apply skills you’ve acquired to a project within a company that’s located in a city that makes living there logistically impossible? Or, maybe you are wondering if most work in the company is from remote locations because of coronavirus precautions? A virtual internship, where you work remotely, communicate electronically, and produce a product, is an option. Here is a case example, including benefits realized:

In 2012, Pablo was a junior at a large public university when he changed his major to statistics. The summer prior to his senior year, a mutual acquaintance made the connection between him and a remote internship possibility that led to him being hired to work on a project where he could apply his statistical knowledge. Pablo signed a contract that outlined the timeline and deliverables, communicated and problem-solved with this organizational lead on a weekly basis, and flew to the organization’s home location to present the results of his statistical analysis, which were ultimately used in a larger organizational project. The benefits to Pablo of this virtual internship were abundant! He didn’t need to break his apartment lease and relocate to another city during the summer, he applied (and likely improved) his statistical and presentation skills, he made professional connections (though limited compared to working in person onsite), he had the flexibility in the role in that he could also take on a position locally that was convenient and helped pay the bills (even though it wasn’t linked to his professional career interests), and he was paid.

Whether through networks, reaching out to companies where you are interested in interning, or finding an opportunity online, virtual internships can be rewarding and feasible.

Choosing, Preparing, and Following Up
with References

When applying for an internship or job, you will be asked to list references – typically two or three. How do you choose who will best answer questions about your skills, abilities and work style? References from past employers carry the most weight (whether a supervisor, co-worker, or client), but these are other types of references that may also prove to be beneficial:
1.       Academic references such as one of your professors or someone on campus who you have worked with in some capacity.
2.       Personal references are people who know you personally and can describe your skills – but avoid using family members or close personal friends.
3.       Professional references are contacts you know through clubs, professional, or community organizations, such as your FirstGen Ahead coach.

In choosing your references, select people who honestly know you and will speak objectively . If someone also has influence in the community or business in which you are applying, even better.  You should be cautious with references that you only know through seeking therapeutic support (such as clergy or counselors) since what they know about you may not be relevant to the position for which you are applying (though some may know you in ways that are relevant).

Always contact the person to ask if they are willing to serve as a reference before giving their name to a potential employer. It’s best to ask in person or over the phone, rather than email, so you can have a conversation about your job search goals and the specific employers who may be calling. You can prepare your reference by including the job descriptions, hyperlinks to the organizations you’re targeting, your cover letters, and resumes. By talking “live” it also serves as a great opportunity to review past responsibilities and remind your references of the successes you’ve achieved.

Format your reference list comprehensively. This means to include not only the names, title, and contact information of your references, but include exactly which attributes which reference can attest to . This will help the hiring manager in knowing which skills your reference can speak to and not waste their time asking questions your reference can’t answer.

Finally, always follow up with a personal thank you to your reference, at the minimum an email. Be sure to keep them informed on how your job hunt is going! Remember that you’re likely to want to use them as a reference in the future; you don’t want to encounter an awkward conversation with them at that point in time if they don’t know the outcome of this application experience for you.

Meet Coach Mary!

Mary Henderson understands the experiences of a first-generation college student because she was one. In reflecting on those times, she still appreciates how she benefited from the support she received as she made her way into the world post college. Over the years, she has managed and mentored individuals and groups in various functional areas across several industries, including businesses such as Gillette and EMC/Dell Technologies. Now, Mary is empowering a first-generation college student in the transition from college to career as a volunteer coach through FirstGen Ahead. In doing so, she offers extensive knowledge from her expertise in different industries, most notably healthcare, as her student is interested in working in the healthcare field.

Mary’s philosophy and approach to coaching is to “establish a relationship that is open, available, and based on mutual respect and trust.” She also feels that, if possible, an element of fun is great to add to the mix. Mary is pleased that her student is comfortable enough to share the accomplishments and the challenges that she is experiencing.

Seven months into the coaching relationship, Mary believes she has been most effective as a sounding board for her student as her career focus has evolved from healthcare to healthcare/public health law. What she most enjoys in this role is “connecting with talented and smart young people and sharing experiences and insights with them.” Mary also appreciates working with her fellow coaches who are thoughtful and generous with their ideas and time.

“Networking and persevering” is Mary’s advice to first-generation college students as they prepare to enter the workforce. She says, “Write that letter, make that call – it gets easier and soon you will find that you are learning a lot about yourself and even enjoying the process!” Mary agrees with Eleanor Roosevelt who counseled, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

If you would like to learn about serving as a FirstGen Ahead coach for the upcoming academic year, please contact susan@firstgenahead.org .  
What Would You Do?
You received an internship offer and signed an agreement to begin at the end of the spring semester. Because of the economic slowdown, you think there is uncertainty if the offer will still hold. What would you do?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday, March 22, 7:30-8:30pm
Online student peer session will be facilitated by Dr. Susan Gershenfeld. A Zoom link reminder will be sent to all students.

Sunday, April 12, 7:00-8:00pm
Online coach support session will be facilitated by Dr. Lois Benishek. A Zoom link reminder will be sent to all coaches. 
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