Overview

Career Pathways Initiative partnered with Wake Forest University to enhance and build upon the existing foundation in place to support first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students. In close collaboration with the First Generation Student Office (First in the Forest) and the Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD), we implemented a career readiness experience that expanded FGLI students’ access to the knowledge, skills, and networks essential for success beyond college.

What we did

We piloted at Wake Forest with 14 juniors representing a wide range of majors. As word spread, the program scaled to serve over 50 upper-classmen and an additional 75 first-year students. Our programming included the following:

• Learning Conversation Guides: Each Fellow was matched with an industry professional who shared their career journey and offered practical, candid guidance.

  “It was great to connect with an engineer [who shared my experience]. We have very similar inspirations for becoming an engineer… I learned that I need to be more honest and upfront with the things that I am passionate about to get a better understanding of where I want to be.”

  
  

• On-Demand Coaching: Our Program Managers provided responsive, one-on-one support tailored to each Fellow's goals. From refining resumes and preparing for interviews to developing job search strategies and networking plans, coaching was available when Fellows needed it most.

  “My program manager is super helpful and supportive. During my application for internships, I worked with them and got a lot of help on my resume and cover letter.”

  
  

• Career Exploration Webinars: To broaden Fellows’ understanding of career possibilities, we hosted virtual panels featuring professionals from leading companies.

  “One lesson I took away is the importance of having a growth mindset, which helps expand both skills and opportunities. Additionally, being intentional about how I can add value while learning new things is important to my personal and professional development.” 

  
  

• Skill-Building Workshops: We hosted a series of hybrid, interactive workshops led by professionals from major corporations. Sessions included Securing the Internship (Honeywell), Mastering Communication (Meta), Demystifying Networking and Mentorship (Epsilon), and Financial Literacy (Morgan Stanley).

  “I learned that it’s important to go out of my way to seek opportunities. If a higher-up offers their time, I should follow up and take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how big or small.” 

A blueprint for strategic partnerships and student success

Our strategic and high-touch programming led to strong student outcomes:

• Students were connected to over 150 industry professionals across top corporations nationwide

• 88% of juniors secured career-aligned summer internships or learning experiences by semester’s end

• 82% of seniors landed full-time jobs prior to graduation

• Students left the program with stronger resumes, clearer goals, and a sharper understanding of how to leverage their networks to access opportunities

• Campus partners reported increased engagement among first-gen students, higher traffic to their career center, increased first-destination percentages among FGLI students, and expressed value in  CPI’s ability to provide relevant, targeted support that complemented existing resources. 

Our collaboration with Wake Forest University demonstrates how strategic partnerships and intentional programming can open doors for students who are often navigating college and careers without a built-in, readily accessible network.