How One Company Created a Career Ladder for First-Generation Professionals

In this episode of The Diversity Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how a major professional services firm — Deloitte — built a structured career development program specifically for first-generation college graduates. They unpack the data behind the initiative: employees from first-generation backgrounds are 30 percent more likely to leave within the first two years than peers with college-educated parents. Deloitte's 'First Generation Access' program provides mentorship circles, executive sponsorship, and a dedicated career coach for each participant. The hosts walk through the program's design, the business case that convinced leadership, and the measurable results: a 40 percent reduction in turnover among participants over a two-year period. They also discuss why the program focuses on 'cultural capital' gaps rather than skills gaps, and how other employers can adapt the model without a massive budget. #FirstGenerationProfessionals #Deloitte #CareerLadder #Retention #Mentorship #ExecutiveSponsorship #CareerCoaching #CulturalCapital #Inclusion #Equity #UnderrepresentedTalent #EmployeeTurnover #DiversityAndInclusion #ProfessionalServices #TalentDevelopment #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo