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Santa Fe College was awarded a $5,000 grant through the Council for Opportunity in Education, the FirstGen Forward Network, and TIAA to expand our annual First-Gen Celebration to include a leadership conference designed specifically for students who are the first in their families to attend college.
With this support, the Santa Fe First-Gen Advisory Group created an event focused on building career readiness, confidence, and meaningful connections. The goal was to ensure these resilient students are prepared not only for their next job interview, but for long-term success throughout their future careers.
The “First-Generation Career and Leadership Conference” took place on Friday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Northwest Campus. Current Santa Fe College students participated in a full day of engaging and informative activities designed to empower first-generation scholars.
The conference kicked off with a keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Thomas, who inspired students and set an enthusiastic tone for the day ahead. Following the keynote, students attended a variety of interactive breakout sessions. These sessions covered topics such as creating standout resumes and cover letters, recognizing and overcoming imposter syndrome, and exploring professional attire options through the college’s clothing resources.
One highlight of the day was a service project at Santa Fe College’s Share Wear, an on-campus thrift store, where students can find professional clothing for interviews and career-related events. During the conference, participants helped with sorting and cleaning in the store and went away with items that helped them feel confident, polished, and career-ready.
Students also signed a “First-Gen Pledge of Achievement,” symbolizing their commitment to becoming the first in their families to complete college. In addition, they had the opportunity to take professional headshots to update their LinkedIn profiles and other online platforms. Each participant graduating in fall was personally invited to the First-Generation Cording Ceremony the following week. The cord represents not only their academic achievement, but the support system that has guided them along their educational and career journeys.
After a buffet-style lunch that encouraged networking among fellow first-generation students, the afternoon continued with a fun and informative fashion show. The show demonstrated the differences between business, business casual, casual, and other professional dress codes. Students confidently took to the catwalk, modeling outfits and reinforcing the importance of dressing to impress for upcoming interviews.
By the end of the conference, attendees had gained practical interview tips, clearer insight into professional expectations across various industries, and renewed confidence in their ability to succeed. The event served as both a celebration of first-generation students and a powerful step forward in preparing them for their future careers.
For more information on Santa Fe College's approach, please visit their website.
