Challenges faced by first-generation university students

Whether a student's parents went to university can influence their behaviour and attitudes towards finances, researching courses, where to study, their aspirations and career vision - increased support could help to level the playing field

Key findings

• First-generation students went to university with the aim of advancing to a better job.
• Second-generation students demonstrated a less passive approach to researching their future career than first-generation students.
• Support needs to be provided for first-generation students to develop more 'career vision' looking towards their professional future.
• Labour market information on employers actively recruiting graduates from a lower socio-economic background needs to be more accessible to career practitioners and first-generation students.
• There is a lack of awareness of what careers and employability services can provide among both first and second-generation students.
• Online resources are the primary choice for first-generation graduates to research careers related information.
• First-generation students would benefit from support allowing them to cherish themselves and learn self awareness and self-reflection skills to recognise their unique attributes.
• First-generation students possess resilience and grit
• First-generation students rely on support from tutors and academic staff and they regard them as 'experts'.
• Advice given at open days is also valued by first-generation students.

What's inside

This report identifies the needs of first-generation students regarding their employability and aims to understand the challenges they face.

It then compares first and second-generation student experiences of university, both prior to starting their degree and during their studies.

Following this analysis, recommendations are made on how to support students so they can make effective use of the careers and employability services available to them.

About the report

This report, funded by HECSU, aims to identify challenges that first-generation university students face at the University of Southampton. In turn, it is hoped that careers services can understand how they can meet undergraduate careers education and employability needs. The research was conducted and reported by Heather Pasero, career practitioner at the University of Southampton.

Written by

Heather Pasero

Career practitioner

University of Southampton