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First in Business: Pioneering Success, Shaping Futures

Our mission is to empower first-generation college students in business by providing tailored support for academic and professional success. Through mentorship and experiential learning, we cultivate leaders ready to make meaningful contributions to the business world.

Goals of the Program

 
Four-year graduation
  • Ensure students are on track to graduate within four years by providing comprehensive academic advising and support services.
  • Offer resources and programs to help students stay on schedule with their degree requirements and course planning.
Internship participation before the fourth year
  • Encourage students to pursue internships during their undergraduate studies to gain practical experience and industry insights.
  • Provide access to internship opportunities through career services, industry connections, and networking events.
Job or graduate program placement at graduation
  • Prepare students for successful entry into the workforce or graduate programs upon graduation by offering career development resources and support.
  • Assist students in building professional networks, refining job search skills, and crafting competitive resumes and cover letters.
75% job placements with starting salary above the regional average for the respective major
  • Strive for a high rate of job placements with starting salaries that exceed the regional average for each major.
  • Collaborate with employers to identify job opportunities and negotiate competitive salary packages for graduates.
  • Provide salary negotiation workshops and career coaching to empower students to secure lucrative employment offers.

History of Program and Significance

Launched Fall 2023, this program is donor funded and set to create a culture of high achievement and high professional aspirations due to the inequities and challenges created from being a first-generation student. This program aims to help support first-generation students because the financial burden of college is likely heaviest for first-generation students, where research has shown that nearly “50 percent of all first-generation college students in the U.S. are from low-income families.”* In fact, “27 percent of first-generation students come from households making $20,000 or less, compared to 6% of non- first-generation freshmen.”**

Aside from the financial burden of college, first-generation students are shown to experience additional challenges in college that may interfere with their academic and professional development. They may not only have difficulty paying for academic expenses, but also have a hard time adjusting to college culture, making friends, and successfully managing time. Most important for business students, they may lack exposure to corporate role models who have demonstrated social and communication skills needed for business engagement.

At UNT, first-generation status is a student in which neither parent/legal guardian(s) has completed a bachelor's degree. With first-generation students making up 45% of the Ryan College of Business population, support targeting this group of individuals can make a significant impact.

*https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/struggles-first-generation-college-students-face/
**https://pnpi.org/first-generation-students