First Gen Careers Initiative
As the first in your family to attend a four-year college or university, you face unique considerations as you engage in the career development process. In collaboration with first gen student leaders, the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development established the First Generation Careers (FGC) to support first gen students' career development. The FGC provides first gen students opportunities to discover and explore career paths while building community and pride in being first gen.
FGC programming and events:
- First Gen, First Look at the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development
- Backstage Pass to the Fall Career Fair
- Backstage Pass to the Spring Semester Career Fair
- First Gen Networking Night
- Backstage Pass to Consulting Week
- Backstage Pass to the Wall Street Forum
Find out more information about these events in your Handshake account under Events.
First Gen Careers Leadership Team
Supporting career development efforts for fellow first gen students
2026-2027 Leadership Team
Center for Career Development Staff Leads:
Velena Hernandez: Assistant Director for Career Development (College of Engineering)
Nia Robinson: Assistant Director for Career Development (College of Science)
Sierra Goins
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior ; Minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine
Year and Class: Junior, Class of 2028
Hometown: La Salle, MI
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Study Abroad (London)
- Undergraduate Research in the Sleep & Health Lab
- Club Softball
- McGlinn Hall Commissioner
Internship experience
- NDBridge Service in Chicago
- Medical Scribe
Jamie Cruz-Olmedo
Major: Electrical Engineering
Year and Class: Junior, Class of 2028
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Galvin Scholars
- TLP
- Enable
Internship experience
- Study Abroad (Aloci)
- Accenture - Learning2Earning Tech. Consultant Analyst
Izabela Micor
Major: Economics and Political Science
Year and Class: Junior, Class of 2028
Hometown: Wood Dale, IL
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Student Policy Network
- Students Consulting fo Nonprofit Organizations
- Welsh Fam Social Chair
- Econ Club
- Polish Club
- West Quad Director
Internship experience
- City Hall Intern (Wood Dale, IL)
Jimena Sanchez
Major: Computer Science
Year and Class: Junior, Class of 2028
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Data Club
- Concert Band
- Balfour Scholar
- McInerney Fellow
Internship experience
- Volunteer Expereince at local Museum
Marcello Santana-Aubert
Major: Finance, Accouting, Global Affairs
Year and Class: Junior, Class of 2028
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Balfour Hesburgh Scholars Program
- McInerney Fellows
- Innovation for Impact
- Irish in Business
Internship Experience:
- Deloitte Discovery Internship (Parts 1 and 2)
Samantha Sanchez
Major: Electrical Engineering
Year and Class: Junior, Class of 2028
Hometown: Wood Dale, IL
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- SIBC
- Data Club
- Enable
- Engineering Leadership Council
- Rocketry
Internship experience
- ND Nano NURF
- HEORIC Lab
- Project Stardust Reactor Research
- ND Wireless Institute
- Hourglass Capital Partners
Alisha Teneqexhi
Major: Economics & Political Science
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2027
Hometown: Wheaton, IL
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Career
- Student Policy Network
- SIBC
Internship Experience:
- Deloitte Business Strategy Internship
- Policy and Impact Intern at Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities
First Generation Resources at Notre Dame
Additional Career Resources
Diversity and Inclusion Showcase Book