Students Who Are First-Generation

Welcome to the First-Generation Connections Community!

The Career Center recognizes that social identities and career experiences often intersect and that Villanovans may face specific challenges navigating the career development process as they explore the world of work. This is a space to connect students who are first-generation, alumni who were first-generation and employers with one another through networking, professional development and educational events and programming. We will continually develop this community as we become aware of additional opportunities to advance the growth of all members of our community.

How to Negotiate Salary as an Entry-Level Candidate (With Examples!)

You’ve landed your first job offer—congrats! Now comes the next challenge: how to negotiate salary as an entry-level candidate. It might seem like salary negotiation is out of reach, and that you should simply accept what’s offered. But the …

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Should diverse students, recent grads be more concerned about employers’ use of applicant tracking systems?

When diverse college students and recent graduates step into the job market, they encounter a variety of employers, including large ones that often utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Understanding how these systems work and how to effectively tailor applications can …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
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Wildcat Spotlight | Zenaida De La Cruz, CLAS ’24: “As a first-generation student, the support I received as an undergraduate student was invaluable”

We are proud to feature success stories from First Generation students around the Villanova community.

Zenaida De La Cruz | Major: Sociology; Minors: Criminology, Peace & Justice, Public Service and Administration | Class of 2024

“My time with Villanova’s Career Center played …

By Megan Pongratz
Megan Pongratz
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Identity and Career Readiness Resources

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Career Readiness Resources



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Skill Building Courses

Insights from a College Career Coach

Taught by Valerie Sutton
Are you feeling stuck in your current position, seeking a new one, or contemplating a career change? In this interview,…

Working with Recruiters

Taught by Barbara Bruno
No matter how big your network is, a recruiter’s network is bigger. A recruiter can be a great resource to…

A Day In The Life of a Data Scientist

Taught by Madecraft
The best way to understand what it’s actually like to work as a data scientist is to spend the day…

Nano Tips for Digital Networking with Diana YK Chan

Taught by Diana YK Chan
Welcome to our Nano Tips series, where LinkedIn Learning creators deliver impactful lessons in literally seconds. In this installment, explore…

Boost Your Career with an Experimental Mindset

Taught by Erin Shrimpton
Before you can connect the dots in your career, you need to know how to collect the dots. In this…

Experiencing Culture Change: 8 Strategies to Set Yourself Up for Success

Taught by Erin Shrimpton
When organizational culture is changing, how does it impact you, and how can you prepare yourself to succeed? In this…

Creating Your Internal Mobility Career Plan

Taught by Lindsey Pollak
Few professionals today feel a sense of job security, thanks to the pandemic, the Great Resignation, ongoing cycles of hiring…

Ten Signs You’re a High-Potential Employee

Taught by Scott Mautz
Want to be part of a select group that’s really important to your organization? They’re called HiPos, or high-potential employees:…

Purposeful Curiosity: The Power of Asking the Right Questions at the Right Time

Taught by Next Big Idea Club
Did you know you can sharpen your purpose and advance your career by asking better questions? In the 2022 book…

How to Launch a Career in Project Management

Taught by Bonnie Biafore
Project management is an increasingly popular career path, but how does one get started in the field? If you’re interested…

Driving Internal Mobility as a People Manager

Taught by Lindsey Pollak
As a manager, you often need to fill roles to address changing business needs or mitigate economic uncertainty. Where better…

Uncovering Your Authentic Self at Work

Despite decades of diversity and inclusion efforts, people sometimes feel forced to choose between being included and being themselves. Join…

Sales: Bouncing Back from a Layoff

Taught by Robbie Kellman Baxter
Salespeople face unique challenges when being laid off. What knowledge and skills do you need to effectively navigate a layoff,…

How to Use Data Visualization to Make Better Decisions—Faster

Taught by Steve Wexler
Most organizations are drowning in data but are thirsty for understanding. An abundance of information doesn’t do you any good…

Building Career Agility and Resilience in the Age of AI

Taught by Chris Shipley
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world, and there’s a growing apprehension about its effects in our personal and professional…

Rebuilding and Rebounding after a Layoff

Taught by Jasmine Escalera
Layoffs can be stressful and traumatic. When you have this experience, you need to honor the emotional side of what…

Your Next 5 Moves by Patrick Bet-David

Taught by Patrick Bet-David
Do you ever feel like you’re at a career impasse? Lost your passion? Are you looking for new strategies to…

Master Mentors by Scott Miller

Taught by Scott Miller
Have you always wanted a mentor, but just haven’t met that perfect fit? The good news is that you don’t…

Smarter Cities: Using Data to Drive Urban Innovation

Taught by Jonathan Reichental
By 2050, over 70% of us will live in cities. But are our cities ready? Today, cities face challenges such…

How Smart Founders Prototype Solutions

Taught by Knowable
When you apply your personal knowledge and skills to business problems, you offer a unique set of insights that can…
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Alumni Connections

Kai Williams

Alumni
  • New York, NY
  • Event & Production Fellow The Creative Collective NYC
Meet Kai

DJ (Stephanie) Jones, PhD

Alumni
  • Chicago, IL
Meet DJ (Stephanie)

Tarmim Chowdhury

Alumni
  • New York, NY
  • Finance and Sales Analyst USI Insurance Services
Meet Tarmim

Jessica Stadmeyer

Alumni
  • New York, NY
  • Director of Legal Resources & Community Engagement Family Legal Care
Meet Jessica

Kevin Moposita

Alumni
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Inventory Analyst Target
Meet Kevin

Indonesia Young, MBA

Alumni
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist Ensemble Arts Philly
Meet Indonesia

Mafatta Janeh

Alumni
  • Union, NJ
Meet Mafatta

Matthew Crawford

Alumni
  • New York, NY
  • Associate Blank Rome
Meet Matthew

McKenzie Suber-Robinson

Alumni
  • Trenton, NJ
  • Director of Conference Services Villanova University
Meet McKenzie

Chloe Benson

Alumni
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Talent Strategy & Projects Lead Marsh & McLennan Companies
Meet Chloe

Anna C. Pelligra, Esq.

Alumni
  • Manasquan, NJ
  • Founder & Owner Anna Catherine Pelligra Law LLC
Meet Anna C.

Walidah Justice

Alumni
  • Summit, NJ
  • Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Kent Place School
Meet Walidah
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