First Generation and Low Income Students

Information for First Generation and Low Income Students

Career Services is committed to supporting first generation college students throughout their career exploration and professional development process. We collaborate closely with the Office of Penn First Plus, the Greenfield Intercultural Center, PennCAP, PennKIPP and student groups including PennFirst & Collective Success to provide targeted resources and programming.

Career Planning TimelinesExplore our year-by-year career planning guides to help you make the most of your time at Penn and beyond!
First-Year |Sophomore | Junior | Senior
Marketing Your First Gen ExperienceEffectively articulate the transferable skills you offer employers based upon your first generation experience.
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First Generation Brag Sheet & OutcomesExplore career paths pursued by first gen Penn grads and learn about the qualities you contribute to the workplace as a first-gen student.
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Need Professional Clothing? We Can Help!Career Services has renewed our partnership with The Wardrobe (formerly Career Wardrobe)! Students in need of professional clothing are invited to connect with The Wardrobe for a FREE in-person or virtual meeting with a consultant. Click here for more info.
First Gen Mentoring OpportunitiesConnect with first gen alumni eager to share their knowledge and skills with current FGLI students through Penn FLASH. Learn more about how to create effective relationships here.
Penn Resources for FGLI StudentsThis centralized university page features campus resources and information for students who identify as first generation and/or low income.

Featured Articles

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Taking the Imposter out of Imposter Syndrome

March 11, 2021

Wooden scrabble tiles spell out the word IMPOSTER on a blue and purble background.

What is imposter syndrome? If you’ve never heard this term or experienced it, consider yourself lucky, but you may have experienced it without even realizing it. Imposter syndrome, perhaps at universities such as Penn, are not entirely uncommon. Anecdotally, it’s …

By Esther Ra

Are We There Yet?

February 23, 2021

by Nolan D. Henry, WH MBA ’08

“Are we there yet”? – Every kid who has ever lived.

Many of us have had a moment – usually on a long road trip – where we’ve asked that question. We are going somewhere …

By Career Services

Lowering the Cost of Applying to Med School: AAMC Fee Assistance Program

February 12, 2021

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) provides people who qualify with a free MCAT Prep bundle of online products, a reduced registration fee for the MCAT, free access to the MSAR, and waived AMCAS fees up to 20 schools. This …

By Carol Hagan

Which Wall Street Firms Are Best for Racial and Ethnic Diversity?

February 12, 2021

This past fall, Vault surveyed more than 3,000 investment banking professionals. We asked them to rate and comment on their firms’ benefits, compensation, culture, hours, and training, among other workplace factors. We also asked them to rate and comment on …

By Derek Loosvelt - Vault

4 Tips for Searching for Companies that Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

February 12, 2021

Everyone’s heard the phrase “diversity and inclusion” (“D&I” for short), but what does it really mean? Why is it so important? And how do you find companies that prioritize it?

In honor of Black History Month, below are the answers to …

By Sarah Candin - Vault

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Handshake is Career Services’ powerful platform for University of Pennsylvania students, postdocs and alumni served by our office.  Handshake uses …

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Quaker Career ClosetShare This: Share on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Facebook
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Program held periodically throughout academic year to provide students with an interview outfit.
See details from last event on August …

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MyPennShare This: Share on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Facebook
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Use Penn’s Alumni Directory MyPenn (formerly QuakerNet) to search for fellow classmates or update your contact information.

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Penn FirstShare This: Share on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Facebook
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Penn First is a student organization at the University of Pennsylvania for first-generation college students and students from a low-income …

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Career WardrobeShare This: Share on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Facebook
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Career Services has renewed our partnership with The Wardrobe (formerly Career Wardrobe)! Current Penn students in need of professional clothing …

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First Gen Low Income Program (FGLI)Share This: Share on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Facebook
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This centralized university page features campus resources and information for students who identify as first generation and/or low income.

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