ASCEND

Career Accelerator

Ascend is Rise First’s Career and Leadership Accelerator, a virtual 10-week program (July 11-September 25, 2022) designed to foster and advance the creative, academic, and social empowerment of first generation, low income (FGLI) college-undergraduate students.

Application deadline: June 30, 2022


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About the Program

At Rise First, we believe everyone should have equal access to opportunities no matter where they come from, especially those from first-generation, low-income backgrounds– who face unique barriers to success such as: combating impostor syndrome, navigating unwritten rules in the workplace, managing personal finances under unique circumstances, and building networking skills.

Our mission is to level the playing field for first-generation, low-income folks nationwide by reducing the common barriers that they face. We’re built for and by the first-generation and low-income community, advancing our own team members with confidence, skills and network while giving back to the larger community.

Ascend is Rise First’s Career and Leadership Accelerator, a virtual 10-week program designed for first generation, low income (FGLI) undergraduate students to build confidence, develop transferable skills and strategize/execute an innovative solution to an identified challenge.

The program will include:

  • Guest Speaker Panels: Virtual sessions with professionals who have experience in technical recruiting, founding and running start-ups, and providing academic guidance.

  • Workshop Events: Collaborative events that allow participants to receive technical and soft-skill training for professional development.

  • Hands-On Project: Participants are introduced to a real problem in the FGLI community and are asked to come up with an innovative solution. Regular check-ins and guidance are provided.


    • We welcome you to apply to be a part of our inaugural Ascend cohort and contribute to the mobilization of the greater FGLI community!

    Starts: July 11, 2022
    Ends: September 25, 2022
    Targeting: First Generation, Low Income (FGLI) undergraduate students
    Commitment: Part-time (4 hours per week)



    What You Can Expect

    Week

    Week 1

    Program Welcome Event & Introduction to Rise First Team Members

  • Two-hour virtual orientation event hosted by the Rise First Core Team members and an overview of Rise First
  • Meet Rise First members individually to introduce themselves and ask questions about role/experience
  • Meeting concludes with identifying experiences of imposter syndrome & survey ranking members they would like to have as a mentor

    • Participant Kick-Off Session
  • An hour-long session for the Program Team to meet with participants and introduce them to the project idea & working scope
  • This session includes providing project expectations and breaking up participants into two groups of five
  • Session concludes with recommendations on meeting organization, frequency, and how to begin approaching projects

    • Week 2

    Workshop Event for Networking with Rise First Members and Alumni

  • Networking Event with the entire Rise First Broader Community and Activities
  • Fellows Assigned with Mentors depending on Individual Responses

    • Fellows Begin Inter-Group Collaboration Sessions for Project
  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space
  • Specific time and day of week for meetings to be decided between participants. Expectation to begin meeting by July 19

    • Participants & Mentors Begin 1:1 Sessions
  • Participants beginning meeting with their selected mentors. Meetings expected to begin by July 20
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 1: “Understanding What It Means to be FGLI”

    • Week 3

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 2: “Transforming the FGLI Perspective and Experience”
  • Resume building and interview strategies

    • Rise First Team-Wide Call (Core Team & Fellows)
  • Provide general updates, projected milestones, and request feedback and progress
  • Virtual game night

    • Week 4

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 3: “Coping Skills: Confronting Burn-out, Insecurity, and Imposter Syndrome”

    • Week 5

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 4: “The Family, State, and Society: Expectations versus Reality”
  • Exploring alternative aspirations, desires, and plans for the future

    • Midpoint Evaluation
  • Fellows meet individually with program organizers from Core Team for a progress check, including an assessment on overall program experience

    • Rise First Team-Wide Call (Core Team & Fellows)
  • Provide general updates, projected milestones, and request feedback and progress

    • Week 6

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 5: “Addressing Mental Health: Drawing Boundaries and Setting Limits”

    • Workshop 1
  • Prospective hour-long workshop with participants to engage them in a unique area of growth
  • Topic TBD depending on Fellow Responses
  • Proposed Topics: Navigating Career Paths, Software Development Technical Workshop

    • Week 7

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 6: “Childhoods”

    • Guest Speaker Presentation 1
  • Prospective hour-long guest speaker event where we invite a industry professional on professional development

    • Rise First Team-Wide Call (Core Team & Fellows)
  • Provide general updates, projected milestones, and request feedback and progress

    • Week 8

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 7: “The College Experience: Between Adolescence and Adulthood”

    • Workshop 2
  • Prospective hour-long workshop with participants to engage them in a unique area of growth
  • Topic TBD depending on Fellow Responses
  • Proposed Topics: Marketing Yourself for the Professional World, Marketing Technical Workshop

    • Week 9

    Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations

  • Fellows work with their groups to start the ideation process for their project in the proposed problem space

    • Ongoing: Mentor Session
  • Proposed theme for Mentor Session 8: “What Now? What Can I Do?”

    • Guest Speaker Presentation 2
  • Prospective hour-long guest speaker event where we invite a industry professional on professional development

    • Program Coordinator x Fellow Meeting
  • Go over final presentation guidelines with fellows and last-minute FAQs about presentation and hand-off process

    • Week 10

    Final Presentation Session

  • Hour-long session between Fellows and Rise First Core Team, Advisors, and Board of Directors to showcase projects & give viewers the chance to ask questions
  • Conclude meeting with asking participants to take RF x CIPs Survey to determine impact of accelerator on IP scores

    • Initiation to the Rise First Alumni Network

    Final Celebration
  • Final Day celebration between fellows and Core Team members, including virtual games and farewell



    • Qualifications

    Group Photo
    Identify as First-Generation/Low-Income (FGLI)
    College Student

    A first-generation (or "first-gen") college student is defined as an undergraduate whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) did not earn a bachelor’s or higher degree in the US or any other country. First-gen students face unique challenges when attending universities, while also bringing diverse perspectives.

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    Frequently asked questions (FAQ)


    I do not identify as a first-generation and/or low income (FGLI) student. Can I still be a part of the program?

    At this time, we are only offering the program to FGLI students due to our specialized agenda and workshops tailored toward providing the students with resources and opportunities that they might not otherwise have.

    Are there any costs associated with the program?

    No, there is no cost for students selected for the program.

    What kind of projects will I work on?

    The projects will be open-ended with a focus on helping to advance the FGLI exposure, professional preparation, and information access necessary for collective and individual empowerment. Project ideas can include, but are not limited to: creating a FGLI-specific zine or blog site; re-imagining the social media presence of Rise First; routinely posting informative, entertaining, and/or creative content; showcasing FGLI narratives, products, and/or creative artwork via social media, site publication, or blog submissions, etc.



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