First Gen Students

What is a First-Gen Raider?
Being First-Gen means you are a trailblazer, forging a new path to earn your degree. At Shippensburg University, we celebrate your courage, resilience, and dedication to shaping a brighter future for yourself and your family. A First-Gen Raider is someone whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree, but you are taking the next step to achieve that milestone.

This is an incredible achievement, and you should be proud of the legacy you’re building for future generations of Raiders!

First-Gen Raider initiatives aim to:

  • Support your success: Increase retention and graduation rates through academic and personal resources.
  • Build community: Connect students with other First-Gen peers to normalize shared experiences.
  • Empower through mentorship: Pair students with supportive mentors and positive role models.
  • Provide resources: Link students to academic, social, and financial support systems.
  • Foster connections: Create opportunities for networking with campus and community organizations.

At Ship, you’re not just attending college, you’re leading the way as a Raider!

Need help figuring out your career path? Discover our year-by-year career planning guides, designed to support your journey to professional success!

Looking for professional attire? Visit the Raider Ready Professional Dress Closet at the Career Center to find the perfect outfit for your career needs!

Sidebar

Featured Articles

Should First Generation Students Hide From Potential Employers That They’re the First in Their Families to Attend College?

For first-generation college students—those who are the first in their family to attend and graduate from college—entering the job market can bring unique challenges. They may face hurdles that other students, particularly those with more established family networks, don’t have …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

Why You Still Need LinkedIn & 3 Steps to Get Started

LinkedIn gets a lot of hate, and much of it is well deserved. But it is still an excellent tool to level up your career. In this episode, I break down why LinkedIn is still an extremely powerful tool for …

Read more

Associate Director of Programming & Former College Counselor – Marrissa Washington

Marissa Washington, Associate Director of Programming and first-generation coach, walks through a day in her life, how she found her role, salary expectations and more.

This video is created by CareerSpring, the leading organization supporting first generation / low income students.

Read more

Featured Profiles

Bri Arndt

Expert-Recommended People
  • Recruiting Coordinator Refined Technologies Inc.
Meet Bri

Lisa Cameron

Expert-Recommended People
  • Senior Director of Development The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Meet Lisa

Guy Caprio

Expert-Recommended People
  • Staff Therapist Loyola University Chicago
Meet Guy
Meet Leena

Natasha Charles

Expert-Recommended People
  • Founder, CEO, Chief Intuitive Strategist Intuitive Coaching with Natasha Charles
Meet Natasha

Charlene Joy Dela Cruz

Expert-Recommended People
  • User Experience Designer II NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Meet Charlene Joy

Dean Di Simone

Expert-Recommended People
  • Founding Partner Function
Meet Dean

Sonia Dias

Expert-Recommended People
  • Various Volunteer Positions and Advisory Boards Various Nonprofits
Meet Sonia

Nora Durgin

Expert-Recommended People
  • School Psychologist Arlington Public Schools
Meet Nora
Meet Irma

Terry Hung

Expert-Recommended People
  • Associate Director, UX Design AKQA
Meet Terry

Arpit Jain

Expert-Recommended People
  • Global President, Marcel Publicis Groupe
Meet Arpit

Featured Classes

Presentations

Improve your ability to communicate big ideas to clients, teams, and execs by honing your presentation skills! Gain access to…

Networking & Outreach

Utilize practical exercises and advice from successful professionals to grow your network, build your professional community, represent your organization, and…

Clarifying Expectations

What questions do you need to ask to get the job done correctly? Improve your ability to communicate with your…

Goal Setting

Setting relevant and precise goals is a recipe for career success—but where do you start? Learn how to choose which…

Giving & Receiving Feedback

Feedback is a two-way street — this course helps prepare you to thoughtfully give and receive constructive feedback with team…

LinkedIn Overview

Learn how to harness all of LinkedIn’s features in order to optimize your job search, expand your network, and maximize…

Informational Interviews

Careers aren’t built alone! Informational interviews are a key tool in your professional toolbelt: learn how to leverage the peers…

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Explore the essential roles and functions you’ll be collaborating with at top companies, then dive into best practices for leading…

Requesting Time Off

Nervous about requesting time off from work? Not sure how to ask your manager? Get the essential information and templates…

Career Exploration

Finding your career path doesn’t have to be a headache! Learn the difference between constructive and overwhelming questions to ask…

Cover Letters

When used correctly, a cover letter can be a valuable companion to your resume. This course will provide the samples…

Interviewing

Prepare to ace the interview! Dive into interview fundamentals, secrets to making a great first impression on employers, and how…

Professional Writing & Organization

Take a deep dive into the unspoken dos and don’ts of professional communication with coworkers, customers, managers, and more! Then,…

Presence & Professionalism

Whether you’re in the office, joining a remote meeting, or attending a work event, how you show up matters! Demystify…

Getting to Know Your Manager & Team

Navigating a new workplace is a challenge. Start your new role with confidence by asking the right questions on (and…

Hiring Process & Offer Evaluation

Upgrade your hire-ability by demystifying the hiring process from application to offer.

Resumes

Get seen by employers and put your best foot forward in the application process by unlocking key hacks and tips…

Featured Classes

Presentations

Improve your ability to communicate big ideas to clients, teams, and execs by honing your presentation skills! Gain access to…

Networking & Outreach

Utilize practical exercises and advice from successful professionals to grow your network, build your professional community, represent your organization, and…

Clarifying Expectations

What questions do you need to ask to get the job done correctly? Improve your ability to communicate with your…

Goal Setting

Setting relevant and precise goals is a recipe for career success—but where do you start? Learn how to choose which…

Giving & Receiving Feedback

Feedback is a two-way street — this course helps prepare you to thoughtfully give and receive constructive feedback with team…

LinkedIn Overview

Learn how to harness all of LinkedIn’s features in order to optimize your job search, expand your network, and maximize…

Informational Interviews

Careers aren’t built alone! Informational interviews are a key tool in your professional toolbelt: learn how to leverage the peers…

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Explore the essential roles and functions you’ll be collaborating with at top companies, then dive into best practices for leading…

Requesting Time Off

Nervous about requesting time off from work? Not sure how to ask your manager? Get the essential information and templates…

Career Exploration

Finding your career path doesn’t have to be a headache! Learn the difference between constructive and overwhelming questions to ask…

Cover Letters

When used correctly, a cover letter can be a valuable companion to your resume. This course will provide the samples…

Interviewing

Prepare to ace the interview! Dive into interview fundamentals, secrets to making a great first impression on employers, and how…

Professional Writing & Organization

Take a deep dive into the unspoken dos and don’ts of professional communication with coworkers, customers, managers, and more! Then,…

Presence & Professionalism

Whether you’re in the office, joining a remote meeting, or attending a work event, how you show up matters! Demystify…

Getting to Know Your Manager & Team

Navigating a new workplace is a challenge. Start your new role with confidence by asking the right questions on (and…

Hiring Process & Offer Evaluation

Upgrade your hire-ability by demystifying the hiring process from application to offer.

Resumes

Get seen by employers and put your best foot forward in the application process by unlocking key hacks and tips…

Career Resources

An award winning podcast and the first and #1 show in the world for first-generation scholars and professionals.

Contact & Location

Phone
717-477-1484
Address

Ceddia Union Building (CUB 108)
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257

Career Service Hours

Day of the week
Center Operational Hours Express Hours
Monday 8am - 6pm 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm 2pm - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm 2pm - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm 2pm - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm