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
Learn MoreApply Now
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:
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
Participant Kick-Off Session
Week 2
Workshop Event for Networking with Rise First Members and Alumni
Fellows Begin Inter-Group Collaboration Sessions for Project
Participants & Mentors Begin 1:1 Sessions
Week 3
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Rise First Team-Wide Call (Core Team & Fellows)
Week 4
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Week 5
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Midpoint Evaluation
Rise First Team-Wide Call (Core Team & Fellows)
Week 6
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Workshop 1
Week 7
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Guest Speaker Presentation 1
Rise First Team-Wide Call (Core Team & Fellows)
Week 8
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Workshop 2
Week 9
Ongoing: Inter-Group Fellow Collaborations
Ongoing: Mentor Session
Guest Speaker Presentation 2
Program Coordinator x Fellow Meeting
Week 10
Final Presentation Session
Initiation to the Rise First Alumni Network
Final Celebration
Qualifications
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.
Learn MoreFrequently 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.