W E N EED T O TA L K A B O U T F I R S T- G E N E R A T I O N PROFESSIONA LS When it comes to diversity, --------equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, managers often Words / Jess Stillman focus on factors such as ethnicity or gender. But according to a growing number of DEI professionals, there’s another group that managers might want to consider too: first-generation professionals. A first-generation professional (or FGP for short) is someone who is the first in their family to hold a professional, white-collar job. They often come from diverse backgrounds, and recent studies have shown that they tend to feel less valued and included at work than those with deeper roots in the professional world. So, why does the management lexicon need this new term, which is increasingly being used in the US? Experts argue that thinking in terms of FGPs – rather than more traditional language around “socio-economic background” – helps remove stigma, illuminate barriers faced by professional newcomers, and focus attention on how leaders can help them succeed. We spoke with Karen Hinds, a DEI expert and CEO of the Workplace Success Group (who is herself an FGP), about the challenges faced by this often overlooked group and how managers can best help them thrive.
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