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
2025-2026 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)
Danny Barreto
Major: Marketing
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2026
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Programming Coordinator for RitmoND
- QuestBridge Scholar
- Real Estate Club of Notre Dame
- Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager
Internship experience
- Macerich, Property Management
- Fitzco, Account Management
- Colliers International, Lease Analyst
Gjon Curanaj
Major: Finance & Theology
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2026
Hometown: New York, New York
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- SIBC
- NDIGI
- McInerney Fellows
- Graham Family Hall
- Club Golf
Internship experience
- Perella Weinberg Partners (Summer 2025)
- DWS Group (Summer 2024)
Kim Hernandez
Major: Finance, Real Estate and Entrepreneurship minor
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2026
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Questbridge Scholar
- Notre Dame Venture Capital
- Unleashed Social Ventures
- Real Estate Club of Notre Dame
- Venture Scouting at Venture Fund(s)
Internship experience
- Operations at Value Buddy (fintech startup)
- Business Analyst, RevTech Lab Venture Capital
- Marketing, Cher® proptech startup
Hayden Hofacker
Major: Finance
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2026
Hometown: Black Creek, Wisconsin
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Investment Club
- SIBC
- Moneythink
Internship experience
- Roundtable Healthcare Partners
- Morgan Stanley Investment Banking (Summer 2025)
Marcello Santana-Aubert
Major: Finance, Accouting, Global Affairs
Year and Class: Sophomore, 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 Audit and Assurance
Rita Sauceda
Major: Marketing and Global Affairs, Latino Studies minor
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2026
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Building Bridges Marketing Intern/Peer Mentor
- RitmoND Vice President
- Ballet Folklorico Azul y Oro
- Questbridge Scholar
- Notre Dame Admissions Tour Guide
- Transformational Leaders Scholar
Internship experience
- Shezza Socks Startup Marketing Intern
- Apple Worldwide Channel Strategy Operations Intern
EJ Tapia
Major: Finance
Year and Class: Senior, Class of 2026
Hometown: Marrero, Louisiana
Extracurricular Activities:
- First Gen Careers
- Transformational Leadership Program (TLP)
- SIBC
- Investment Club ND
- Knights of Columbus
Internship Experience:
- Chapman and Cutler Finance Law Development
First Generation Resources at Notre Dame
Additional Career Resources
Diversity and Inclusion Showcase Book