Setting the Stage for Success With First-Generation College Students

First-generation college students may need personalized guidance in navigating the college landscape. Amy Armstrong, MS, NCC, ACS, LPC, owner of Amy’s Counseling Service, LLC in Denver, Colorado, specializes in career counseling and offers her expertise in setting these clients up for success. 

“First-generation college students come in with their family’s dreams riding on their backs,” begins Armstrong. 

According to Armstrong, first-generation college students are often fixated on a major or career in a high pay or demand field, even if they do not have actual interest in that area. They may need direction on how college simply works, help deciding between graduate school or applying for a job, or tuition budgeting assistance. Sometimes, these students struggle with family members who insist on being too involved, which can put a strain on their relationship.

Armstrong offers several approaches to support these clients.

“The most important thing is to serve as a sounding board and create a safe environment where the student can explore their options,” says Armstrong. “Value exploration activities, such as card decks or simply ranking what’s most important to them, can help facilitate conversation about post-college life, as well as identify similarities and differences between them and their family.” 

Armstrong urges identity development, recognizing that the “typical” American college experience may not be so typical for everyone. Connecting a client with resources from their campus community, such as upperclassmen, alumni, or faculty members, can provide mentoring from those who have already experienced the entire process, while helping them recognize their individual passions. 

Some first-generation college students, particularly women, might be pressured to avoid spending time outside of the classroom on campus, making it difficult to immerse themselves in the full college experience, according to Armstrong. This can deprive them of important opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities that can build their résumés. 

“Emphasize the connection between extracurriculars and preparation for a successful career. This is when it could be helpful to invite a family member to join your discussion so that they too can better understand that college is not just about going to class and studying,” says Armstrong. 

Armstrong stresses how the family of a first-generation college student tends to have difficulty recognizing the transition from high school to college. Counselors should be cognizant of reminding them of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects student confidentiality. 

“A big component of a student’s success is learning how to make their own decisions. If a parent insists on being in the room for a counseling session, it’s important to emphasize what you can talk about while they’re present, which includes the general curriculum for the student’s major, other opportunities on campus, the academic calendar and key dates, and available career resources,” says Armstrong. 

Helping clients identify other campus resources is important, too, according to Armstrong. For example, students needing financial support may be unaware that the financial aid department even exists. 

Armstrong does not believe the American college and university system to be very intuitive, especially for those who don’t work in it daily. Her biggest advice to other counselors or counselors-in-training wanting to serve this population is to respect each individual’s lived experience and use that as a foundation moving forward. 

“Don’t assume that the first-generation college student is a helpless baby bird. Every first-generation college student is different, and understanding both their challenges and what excites them is imperative in setting them up for success,” concludes Armstrong.

Amy Armstrong, MS, NCC, ACS, LPC, owner of Amy’s Counseling Service, LLC in Denver, Colorado, has expertise in career counseling, academic advising, and trauma counseling. She earned her master’s degree in counseling with a career counseling specialty from California State University, Northridge and is a certified EMDR therapist and consultant-in-training.

**Opinions and thoughts expressed in NBCC Visions Newsletter articles belong to the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or practices of NBCC and Affiliates.