First Gen

Career Development & Vocation celebrates and welcomes first-generation students who call Augustana College their academic home.

Who is a first-gen student?

First Gen students at Augustana

The best way to get started is by viewing the Viking Score. The Viking Score motivates students to take small steps ensuring they are on the right path to getting to where they want to be. Viking Score Activities are designed to move students smoothly, at their own pace, through the process of career development and vocation.

Next, consider scheduling a career coaching appointment. Your Career Coach will introduce you to the curated resources and networks and opportunities for career readiness skill development so that you can develop a personalized pathway leading to a life of  purpose and meaning.

Job Search and Networking Tools

  • I’m First: an online community providing first-generation college students with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college
  • TRIO @ Augustana College: 10 things TRIO can do for you
  • Young Invincible (YI) Scholars Program: offers first-generation students the opportunity to join the Young Invincible team, working on today’s most pressing economic issues facing young adults

Additional Information and Resources

Innovation In The Alps!

In the spring of 2025, Augustana College will offer a Study Away program focused on innovation in music and science and ethical consideration in Germany and Switzerland (Alps). Students will take two courses on campus (ENGR 315 and MUSC 306) in Spring. After …

By Lisa Slater
Lisa Slater Marketing & Events Coordinator
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Stop by CORE and Share Your Success!

By Lisa Slater
Lisa Slater Marketing & Events Coordinator
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The Crucial Link Between Mental Health and Career Development

In the journey of career development, we often focus on building skills, networking, and gaining experience. While these aspects are undoubtedly crucial, one aspect that sometimes gets overlooked is mental health and well-being. However, the truth is that mental health …

By Sangamitra Shakya
Sangamitra Shakya
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How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation

Asking for a letter of recommendation is a common practice when applying for jobs, education programs, or other opportunities.

It is a way to present yourself positively through the perspective of someone who can attest to your skills, achievements, character, …

By Claire Martino
Claire Martino
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Navigating the Job Market: Strategies for Landing Your Dream Job or Internship

As summer break approaches and graduation looms on the horizon, many college students find themselves embarking on the exciting yet daunting journey of searching for jobs and internships. With the right strategies and resources at your disposal, navigating the job …

By Sangamitra Shakya
Sangamitra Shakya
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Career Resources

Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Explore occupations by career categories and pathways and use real time labor market data to power your decision making.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Skill Building Courses

Develop, Grow, Launch, and Support Your ERG

Taught by Dereca Blackmon
Diversity and inclusion initiatives are on the rise in organizations around the globe. But now that programs and plans are…

Skills for Inclusive Conversations

Taught by Mary-Frances Winters
Organizations reap the benefits of diversity—when employees bring their whole, authentic selves to work. Diverse teams are more productive, innovative,…

Six Skills to Develop Cultural Agility

Taught by Paula Caligiuri
Cultural agility is one of the most critical professional skills needed today but also one that employers say is difficult…

Cultural Humility and Agility

Taught by Tatiana Kolovou
Are you actively promoting a culture of inclusion inside and outside of your organization? If not, it’s time to pivot,…

Foundations of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Taught by Dereca Blackmon
The world of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) can be both empowering and overwhelming at times. How can someone…

Speaking Up for Yourself and Underrepresented Groups

Taught by Jessica Chen
Are you at a point in your career where you’ve realized that putting your head down, doing the work, and…

Menopause in the Workplace: A Guide to Supporting Your Colleagues

Taught by genConnectU
Menopause is a human condition that affects most of us in one way or another. Fifty percent of the world’s…

Unconscious Bias (with Audio Descriptions)

Taught by Stacey Gordon
To some degree, we are all biased. Our experiences shape who we are, and our dimensions of diversity—race, ethnicity, gender,…

Creating Community within Your Employee Resource Group

Taught by Farzana Nayani
Employee resource groups—more commonly known as ERGs—have become an integral part of how organizations address employees’ needs and drive long-term…

Becoming a Male Ally at Work

Taught by Emilie Aries
Gender diversity in the workplace drives innovation and performance. As a male ally, you can help boost diversity by chipping…

Nano Tips for Checking Your Bias: Becoming a People Advocate with Madison Butler

Taught by Madison Butler
Welcome to our Nano Tips series, where LinkedIn Learning creators deliver impactful lessons in literally seconds. In this installment, discover…

Nano Tips for Identifying and Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Workplace with Desiree Coleman-Fry

Taught by Desiree Coleman-Fry
Welcome to our Nano Tips series, where LinkedIn Learning creators deliver impactful lessons in literally seconds. In these video tips,…

Supporting Indigenous Rights

Taught by Camille Glass
Indigenous rights is the #1 DEI challenge in both Canada and Australia, and remains an important topic of discussion in…

Sustainable LGBTQ+ Allyship

Taught by Jeannie Gainsburg
One of the biggest challenges allies face is not knowing when and how to lend support. In this course, instructor…

Preventing Harassment in the Workplace

Taught by Catherine Mattice
Harassment is still pervasive in many workplaces—despite the fact that nearly every organization has an anti-harassment policy in place and…

Create Inclusive Content: Identifying and Preventing Racism in Your Marketing

Taught by Mita Mallick
Despite the backlash from consumers, time and time again, many marketers continue to tightly hold on to this idea: our…

Empower, Engage, Elevate: Operationalizing Your ERG for Lasting Change

Taught by Illianna Acosta
When you step into a role in an employee resource group (ERG), you play a role in shaping the culture…

Addressing Hate Speech in the Workplace

Taught by Nika White
Today’s organizational leaders need to consider the impact of language in the everyday workplace. This is even more important when…

Inclusive Mindset for Committed Allies

Taught by Dereca Blackmon
What does it mean to become a true ally? This question is more relevant now than ever. True allies start…

Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences

Taught by Vernā Myers
Find greater meaning, well-being, and productivity by learning how to interact with others across differences. Continue your Thrive journey and…

Contact & Location

Phone
309-794-7339
Address

Olin Center
639 38th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

Career Service Hours

Day of the week
Office is Open Drop-Ins (When Classes Are In Session)
Monday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Drop-in topics include:

  • Resume & Cover Letter Review
  • Resume & Cover Letter Writing
  • Viking Score Overview
  • LinkedIn Headshot Photo
  • Career Resources Overview