First Generation Students

Welcome to the First Generation Students career community!  While students benefit from a Pitt education, exploring career-building experiences outside of the classroom comes with specific methods for how to do so. This community will help first generation students to explore career resources, job and internship opportunities, and connect with alumni mentors, all of which will help plan a pathway toward your career.

These resources compliment the information provided in the Career Communities, where you will find resources for specific industries and areas of study.

To discuss or share additional resources for this affinity group, please contact Carol Balk at carol.balk@pitt.edu.

Career Study Hall: Your Exploration Lab

Join us for the back-and-better-than-ever, Career Study Hall: Your Exploration Lab! Happening every Tuesday and Friday from 10:30-11:30AM in WPU 238, now featuring breakfast bars and tea at every session!

The first Study Hall session kicks off on August 28th …

By Gabby Brumond
Gabby Brumond Experiential Learning Consultant
Read more

Tell Me Your Career Story!

Hi! I’m Eadlin, a sophomore at Pitt studying Politics & Philosophy and the Career Center’s new Communication Intern. Outside of work, I’m involved in research, Model UN, and Pitt Crew, and I know Pitt students are building career experience in …

By Eadlin Morrissey
Eadlin Morrissey Communication Intern
Read more

Finding his place at Pitt: Hayden Hodges’ Path through Career Prep Academy 

When Hayden Hodges, a Sophomore Psychology major, arrived at the University of Pittsburgh from Mississippi, he wasn’t sure where he would fit in. Coming from a small town to a big city campus, he was nervous about this change, but he was …

By Madison Bozik
Madison Bozik Communications Intern
Read more

Internship Week 2026: Video Recordings & Takeaway Sheets

The Internship Week Committee extends its sincere gratitude to all participants, students, faculty, staff, and external professionals for your engagement in our series of panels and workshops. Throughout the week, we facilitated panel discussions featuring students sharing their internship experiences, …

By Totionna Hill
Totionna Hill Experiential Learning Consultant
Read more

Why are more students taking post-undergraduate gap years?

An increasing number of students have been choosing to take a gap year between undergrad and post-graduate education. 

Each year, between 40,000 and 60,000 students choose to take a gap year, or a year away from education, with the intent to return. …

By Sydney Krasniewski
Sydney Krasniewski Senior Staff Writer
Read more

First Generation Students Resources

Career Center Partners and Fair Sponsors