Internships & Side Hustles: Building a Career as a First-Gen Student

Internships & Side Hustles: How to Build a Career Early

Getting an early start on your career can change everything, especially if you’re the first in your family to go to college. Internships and side hustles for students can help you earn money, gain real-world experience, and figure out what kind of work inspires you. 

Why First-Gen Students Need Internships and Side Hustles

For first-generation students, finding the right internship or side hustle can be a game-changer. With resources for first-generation college students, it becomes easier to turn those first steps into lasting opportunities.

The Barriers First-Gen Students Face in Work & Career Building

First-generation student challenges like financial pressure, limited networks, and family responsibilities can make it harder to find and maintain career-building opportunities, especially when paid opportunities or reliable guidance are hard to find.

Financial constraints & needing paid roles 

Many first-gen students can’t afford to take unpaid positions, making it difficult to gain experience without financial strain.

Time, transportation, family responsibilities

Balancing work, classes, and family obligations—while managing limited access to reliable transportation—can make traditional internships hard to sustain.

Networking gaps & limited access to career support

Without established professional networks or mentors, first-gen students often miss out on insider connections and career guidance that others take for granted.

Types of Internships & Side Hustles That Fit First-Gen Realities

The best side hustles for students and internships for first-gen learners are flexible, paid, and skill-focused, letting them earn money while gaining experience that fits their future plans.

Paid internships, unpaid internships, micro-internships

Whether short-term or seasonal, these roles help students explore careers and gain experience—and scholarships for first-generation students can make even unpaid options possible.

Freelance gigs, contract work, gig economy

Flexible freelance work lets students earn income while testing out their strengths and learning how different industries operate.

Campus jobs that build relevant skills

On-campus positions are a great way to build confidence, sharpen communication skills, and gain leadership experience without leaving school grounds.

Remote/virtual internships & remote side hustles

Virtual work opens doors for students with transportation or schedule challenges, giving them access to professional networks from home.

How to Find & Land Internships Even with Limited Experience

With the right resources for first-generation college students, you can tailor your résumé, use campus connections, and tap into nonprofit programs to find internships that match your goals.

Tailoring your resume—even without “real” experience

Highlight class projects, volunteer work, or leadership roles to show employers your skills and initiative, even if you haven’t had a formal job yet.

Leveraging your network, professors, and alumni

Reaching out to professors, alumni, and mentors can help break through common internship barriers and uncover hidden opportunities.

Using school & nonprofit resources

Many programs designed for first-gen students underrepresented in internships offer coaching, referrals, and networking support to help you stand out. 

Applying for stipends, housing support, or paid roles

Look for internships that include stipends or funding options so you can focus on learning instead of worrying about finances.

Side Hustles That Build Skills & Income Without Burning You Out

For many students, juggling a first-gen internship and a side hustle works best when the extra work feels meaningful.

Balancing Work, School & Self: Tips to Stay Sane

Finding balance between work, school, and personal life can be tough, especially with the barriers faced by first-gen college students, but setting boundaries and using support systems can make it manageable.

Time blocking, scheduling & prioritizing

Planning your week ahead of time helps you stay on track, especially when finding internships as a first-gen student adds one more layer to your busy schedule.

Setting boundaries & avoiding burnout

Be honest about your limits and permit yourself to rest so you can show up fully where it matters most.

Using support systems & asking for help

Reach out to mentors, classmates, or advisors who understand what you’re juggling and can help lighten the load.

Mental health checkups & self-care

Take time to recharge, whether that means a walk, a quick nap, or talking things out with someone you trust.

How Reality Changers Supports Your Work + Career Growth

Scholarship guidance (so you don’t have to overwork)

Reality Changers helps students find scholarships for first-generation students, reducing the need to take on extra jobs while in school.

Referrals to internships & employer partners

The program connects students with vetted employers and internship opportunities that match their interests and skills.

Mentoring, coaching & skill development

Personalized coaching and mentorship give students the confidence and tools to grow professionally.

Community resource connections (child care, legal, etc.)

Reality Changers also links students and parents to trusted local resources that make it easier to focus on education and career goals.

Real Stories: First-Gen Students Who Juggled Internships & Hustles

Students in the Reality Changers community prove that with support and persistence, it’s possible to balance internships, side hustles, and school while building a path toward a meaningful career.

Daniel’s Internship Journey

Daniel’s journey shows how Reality Changers helped him find direction, leading from college workshops to an internship at Takeda Pharmaceuticals that fueled his passion for genetics.

Diego’s Hustle + Internship Combo

With support from Reality Changers, Diego turned his drive into action, launching businesses, landing internships, and gaining the confidence to build a brighter future for his family and community.

Bekhruz’s Finance Internship & Network Building

Bekhruz’s story shows how dedication and guidance from Reality Changers helped him grow from a student unsure about college into a finance professional thriving in his career after graduation.

Jocelyn Carranza’s Media & Public Speaking Growth

Reality Changers helped Jocelyn find her voice. What started as a shy student learning to speak up became a storyteller using her platform in journalism and media to inspire and give back to her community.

Leveraging Your Experiences into Long-Term Careers

Each first-gen internship or side hustle can open doors long after it ends, especially when you know how to highlight what you learned and use it to shape your next steps.

Building a portfolio & tracking your growth

Keeping a portfolio of your projects and skills helps you stand out and overcome common first-generation student challenges by showing employers clear proof of your progress and potential.

How to talk about your hustle in job/internship interviews

Focus on what you learned from your side hustle—like time management or problem-solving—to show how those skills transfer to professional settings.

Turning your side hustle into full-time

With planning and persistence, a side project can grow into a full-time opportunity that aligns with your passions and long-term goals.

Long-term networking & goal setting

Using resources for first-generation college students can help you set clear goals, stay accountable, and build a network that supports your career journey well beyond graduation.