firstgen

You are the first in your family to attend a university? firstgen (first generation students) offers students from non-academic backgrounds mentoring and empowerment.

The requirements and the anonymity at university can be challenging and disconcerting. firstgen is a programme that aims to strengthen your strengths as a first generation student. The programme is free of charge.

firstgen joins university entrantswith Master-level or PhD students who have faced the same challenges not too long ago. Mentees are supported by trained mentors who accompany them throughout the first semester or longer.

In training and networking sessions, firstgen imparts strategies and methods that help you to overcome the obstacles of university studies. You will receive a certificate and ECTS points ("Berufsfeldbezogene Zusatzqualifikation" (BZQ)) when you finish the programme.

firstgen offers you

• Training

firstgen informs you about university life, academic practice and successful communication. The strategies you will learn about here should help you to cope with potential challenges and enable you to successfully plan your career.

• Mentoring

firstgen establishes the first contact between you and a mentor, who will support you individually during your studies. Your mentor has started her degree as a first generation student and is now a Master’s or PhD student. You can discuss important questions with your mentor and discover the nice sides of university life, celebrate successes and overcome challenges together.

• Networking

You can share your experience with other mentees, network and explore the university together. An online networking platform is at your disposal. You can hook up with business women and female academics, who started their careers as first generation student as well, in our “Exchange Café”.