Bob Birgeneau
Educator, Leadership Council, Partner
"Supporting undocumented students is a human rights issue, one that every decent American should believe in."
Career Activity Groups
Immigrants Rising’s Career Activity Groups help undocumented students explore and pursue their career goals.
Career Activity Groups support undocumented students in advancing their career journey. In our newest program, we partner with First Gen Empower to introduce career pathways as a viable option for individuals regardless of their immigration status, share actionable steps and resources for career development, connect students with networks and mentors, and build their legal and workforce knowledge.
Step 1: Unlocking Your Future: A Career Exploration Webinar
Students early on in their school journey, often as early as high school, are pressured to decide on what career they wish to pursue. Even without the knowledge of what career pathways are out there or what barriers and constraints are associated with having an undocumented status, they are expected to make permanent decisions.
If you are unsure about your current career goals or exploring options available to you, we invite you to watch the Unlocking Your Future: A Career Exploration Webinar. This introductory webinar will provide information on possible career pathways for undergraduate undocumented students and set the framework for them to begin their career exploration.
Step 2: Career Mapping: Career Activity Groups
Designed for undergraduate students and recent college graduates, we offer six industry-specific Career Activity Groups that prepare participants to start or continue pursuing their career path.
Cohorts Offered in 2025-2026:
Education
Explore how to build a career in education. This group will connect you with immigrant educators who have found creative ways to support students’ educational journey through teaching, college advising, mentorship, and higher education. By the end of the series, you will create a career map that will guide you on how to gain the professional and hands-on experience you need to fulfill your career goals while contributing to your communities. Learn about volunteer pathways, paid opportunities inclusive to everyone regardless of immigration status, and skill-building steps that will prepare you for future teaching roles and your future in education.
Entrepreneurship
This group will provide you with the technical and practical steps of starting your own business or side hustle, regardless of your immigration status. Hear from immigrant entrepreneurs who have launched businesses across different industries and receive mentorship on how to get your business idea up and running. You will learn about sole proprietorships, ITIN usage, and how to structure a business legally while knowing the risks and responsibilities. This group will empower you to generate income while pursuing your long-term goals.
Health & Medicine
Discover how to build a future in health and medicine, no matter your immigration status. You’ll explore ways to contribute to your community’s well-being and prepare for careers such as nursing, medical assisting, public health, and more. This group will connect you with immigrant healthcare professionals who have pursued volunteer work, certificate programs, and other skill-building opportunities to stay active in the field while navigating status-related barriers.
Law
Interested in a career in law, but you are unsure how to pursue it? This group will connect you with immigrant legal professionals who have navigated diverse pathways such as immigration law, criminal law, corporate law, paralegal work, and legal advocacy, regardless of immigration status. You will learn how to get involved in professional opportunities, gain tools to support your career mapping, and network with other pre-law students and legal professionals.
Mental Health
Learn how to explore a future in mental health careers regardless of your immigration status. This group will feature immigrant professionals in mental health fields such as counseling, therapy, peer support, and mental health advocacy who will share how they have developed skills, gained certifications, and found opportunities to pursue their careers. You will learn about volunteer and paid opportunities that allow you to build experience and prepare for a career in mental health care.
Technology
Discover how to pursue a career in technology fields regardless of immigration status. This group will feature immigrant tech professionals who will share how they built skills in coding, design, and found ways to earn income through freelancing, independent contracting, and project-based work that aligns with immigration guidelines. You will learn about online platforms, certifications, and networking strategies that can help you advance your tech career.
Each group will meet virtually for seven sessions over four months (two sessions every month) in a small cohort setting. By joining a Career Activity Group, participants will acquire knowledge about their career options and opportunities, build community and connections with other undocumented students and professionals in their industry of interest, and develop skills, tools, and an entrepreneurial mindset to support their career journey. If you’re ready to hustle on your career exploration, join us!
Are These Groups for You?
Our Career Activity Groups are right for you if:
- You are a student in or a recent graduate from a postsecondary education institution (e.g., 4-year college or university, trade or technical school, or vocational program). Note: If you are enrolled in a 4-year college or university, you must be an undergraduate student to participate.
- You were not born in the U.S. and do not have permanent residency (green card) or citizenship in the U.S.
- You have attended the Unlocking Your Future: A Career Exploration Webinar on September 25, 2025. If you missed the webinar, you must watch the recording before submitting your application.
- You have a general interest in entrepreneurship. Individuals accepted into the program will be invited to complete Immigrants Rising’s ImmigrantBizHub online course prior to the program start date (more details will be shared in your acceptance email).
- You can commit to attending all Career Activity Groups sessions (see below for session dates and times).
2025-2026 Career Activity Groups Schedule
- Session 1 (Welcome): Nov 6, 2025, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
- Session 2: Nov 20, 2025, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
- Session 3: Dec 4, 2025, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
- Session 4: Dec 18, 2025, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
- Session 5: Jan 8, 2026, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
- Session 6: Jan 22, 2026, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
- Session 7 (Closing): Feb 5, 2026, 5-6 p.m. PT / 8-9 p.m. ET
Applications were due Friday, October 17, 2025; however, we will continue accepting applications until all available spots are filled. Decisions will be announced by the end of October.
Click here to read the application instructions.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, please check out our Participant FAQ. For questions, please contact our Career Pathways Manager, Jesús Flores, at [email protected].
Know a Career Path Possible for Immigrants?
Do you have industry-specific knowledge or professional background, have direct knowledge of and personal connection to the immigrant experience, and are interested in uplifting and coaching undocumented students? Please fill out this Facilitator Interest Form!
About First Gen Empower
First Gen Empower (FGE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that partners with high schools, colleges, and student-serving organizations to strengthen their institutional capacity in supporting first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students across the U.S.
