Every student deserves
a professional network.
Driving Forward gives first-generation college students what their peers already have — paid internships, one-on-one mentorship, and the connections that launch careers.
Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity isn’t.
A college degree opens doors — but which doors depends almost entirely on the professional network you walk in with. First-generation students are building that from zero.
Read our story →We target what actually matters
It takes more than a degree. Where you intern, who you know, and how you present yourself are what separate offers from rejections. Students from higher-income backgrounds accumulate this naturally. First-generation students often figure it out alone — or not at all.
Driving Forward closes that gap with real work experience, professional coaching, and the mentor relationships that change trajectories.
| Outcome | Without support | With Driving Forward |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive internship | Highly unlikely without a network | Paid placement — guaranteed |
| Mentorship | None, or informal at best | 1:1 mentor matched to your field |
| Skills training | Learned on the job, if at all | Weekly workshops and real project work |
| Starting salary | ~$10k below peers at same school | $103k average among alumni |
| Professional network | Built slowly from scratch | 250+ alumni and 300+ active mentors |
Ten weeks. Real work.
A foundation that lasts.
A paid, 10-week internship combining real business project work with structured professional development and one-on-one mentorship from professionals in your target field.
- Paid placement at a real organization — not a simulation
- Weekly professional skills workshops and career coaching
- Mentor matched to your target industry
- Team-based project with actual deliverables
- Career fair preparation and employer introductions
- Ongoing access to the full Driving Forward alumni network
“The program gives you the tools, mindset, and confidence to thrive — no matter the field.”Max Rivera · Driving Forward Alumni
Measuring the careers we’ve launched
Real outcomes from 250+ students who completed the program and built careers that changed the trajectory of their families.
Read our storyCareer resources for every school you’re already at.
A free, school-specific breakdown of career services, internship funding, student organizations, and alumni networks — for 40+ partner universities, all in one place. No more hunting across 10 different websites.
Explore the toolkitWhat our alumni say
I came in unsure of what I was capable of. My mentor didn’t just help me find an internship — she helped me understand what I was actually capable of. I left with a job offer and a professional network I still rely on every single day.
Driving Forward gave me the internship, the confidence, and the connections to pursue a career I didn’t think was possible for someone like me.
My mentor was my biggest cheerleader — celebrating my wins and making the introductions that changed the direction of my career entirely.
Join the Driving Forward community
Stay connected with Driving Forward
Program updates, alumni stories, and new opportunities — delivered when it matters. No spam, ever.
Quick Links
Get In Touch
123 Main Street
New York, NY 10001
- info@drivingforward.org
- +1 (123) 456-7890
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 5:00P