Mentor a First-Generation College Student

Only 11% of low-income, first-generation college students are expected to earn bachelor’s degrees. You can help America Needs You (ANY) change this.

ANY fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first generation college students. We do this by providing a two-year, intensive mentoring and professional training program where first-generation students ("Fellows") are paired with young professional volunteers. We serve over 600 students and over 1,000 volunteers in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York.

As a volunteer Mentor Coach, you will work one-on-one with one of our Fellows through their entire two-year journey through our program, attending career development workshops and bringing our best-in-class curriculum to life with your real world experiences and industry insight. Workshops take place on Saturdays and include trainings by our expert staff, hands-on activities to practice new skills, panels and presentations, leadership opportunities and group discussions.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Strengthen your management skills by learning how to coach and mentor young adults  
• Sharpen your public speaking and communication skills by leading workshops, participating in professional panels, and presenting in your area of expertise
• Gain access to exclusive professional development and social events
• Build your own personal network as you work closely with highly accomplished professionals from a variety of industries
• Develop a one-on-one mentoring relationship with your Fellow and help them achieve their career ambitions
• Serve as a role model and resource for your cohort of Fellows and volunteers

Our 2020-2021 program year is underway, but we are already recruiting Mentor Coaches for next year, and are also happy to have volunteers join us for just one workshop to see what we do! All programming is being held virtually through at least June 2021.