Class Cultures and Social Mobility: The Hidden Strengths of Working-Class First-Generation Graduates

When working—class first—generation students enter college or the professional workplace, they often find themselves immersed in entirely new worlds. They must learn the unwritten rules for how to speak, dress, behave, and interact with new peers and colleagues. While striving to fit in and do well, they risk feeling imposter syndrome, a loss of identity, or broken ties with friends and family.

Class Cultures and Social Mobility tells the stories of upwardly mobile first—gen graduates who f...