Work, Reimagined

Move beyond the boundaries of a traditional workspace. It's time to craft a career that suits your lifestyle and transforms your daily routine from grind to flow.

Check Out the Transformation

Work Anywhere. Choose Home.

First Ascent is a two-year program designed to help you launch your professional career through the power of hybrid and remote work while maximizing work-life balance and building community. If you're a recent West Virginia University or Marshall University graduate with goals for a full-time, flexible career, you're eligible to apply for First Ascent!

Check Your Eligibility and Apply Today

Need Help Securing a Hybrid/Remote Job?

Don't go it alone! Our Program & Career Specialist and the WVU and MU Career Offices can help you accelerate your search for a full-time hybrid, remote, or remote-first career opportunity.

Take the Next Step:

Apply to First Ascent.
Upon program acceptance, connect with our Program & Career Specialist.
Meet with your university's Career Office to curate a job search toolkit and resume designed to resonate with your target employers.
Leverage your university's powerful employer and alumni networks, personalized career coaching sessions, and interview resources to get one step closer to the job offer you've been waiting for.

Apply Now!

Perks

Work Without Limits

Geographic restrictions are a thing of the past. With hybrid and remote work, you can break free form the constraints of a traditional office job and discover the work-life fit that optimizes your life. When you can work anywhere, why not choose West Virginia?

Network, Cowork, Groundwork

Level up with free access to our coworking spaces, where you can confidently lean into your productivity, build your network, and lay the groundwork for a thriving career. Here, success and flexibility go hand-in-hand.

More than a Backdrop

With hybrid and remote work, you can let the landscape inspire and fuel your productivity. In West Virginia, nature is an essential part of your work-life fit. Outdoor adventure is just one more reason to choose the mountain state.

Community in Your Corner

A strong community is the foundation for success. Our dedicated Experience Coordinators curate social events and exclusive adventures year round: bike rides, ice cream socials, backpacking trips, happy hours, healthy hours, networking opportunities, and more!

View Program Package

Explore Communities

Morgantown Area

Find a lively college town brimming with culture and innovation in Morgantown. School spirit is at the heart of the community, but the area is booming with entrepreneurs who thrive where action and adventure meet. Nearby Coopers Rock State Forest is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts hoping to climb, bike or hike their way around Mountaineer Country. Cheat Lake gives you the opportunity to explore one of West Virginia’s most picturesque waterways. The Wharf District is a foodie paradise with a healthy mix of upscale and relaxed dining options like Table 9, Mountain State Brewing Company and Flour and Feed. Sports fans can find themselves cheering on a variety of D1 sports, as well as the West Virginia Black Bears, part of the newly formed MLB Draft League.

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Huntington Area

Huntington, West Virginia, nestled beside the mighty Ohio River, is the western gateway to the state. As West Virginia’s second-largest city, it is home to Marshall University and boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops, attractions, and activities. Pullman Square has reinvigorated the downtown area where you can walk to a wide variety of local restaurants that would tempt any palate. Arts and culture are prominent in this community; here you’ll find the world-class Huntington Museum of Art, several venues that host concerts of every genre, and outdoor activities that the whole family will love.

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Greater Elkins

Tucked away in the Potomac Highlands, the Greater Elkins community lies rich in history, abundant in scenic beauty and alive with a vibrant arts scene and one-of-a-kind festivals and events. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a history buff, a little bit of everything awaits in the charming Greater Elkins community. Wander and roam the Monongahela National Forest, which provides visitors with country roads, scenic vistas, flowing streams and abundant plant and animal life. Or climb aboard a steam powered locomotive with Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad and experience Almost Heaven’s iconic landscape by train. There’s so much to see and do in the Greater Elkins community.

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Eastern Panhandle

If mountain elegance and historic charm are what you are looking for, then the Eastern Panhandle is perfect for you. Just a short drive from the Washington, D.C. metro area, the Eastern Panhandle is the perfect area to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Eastern Panhandle is full of rich history, stunning scenery and small-town charm. Discover one-of-a-kind restaurants, boutiques, outdoor adventures and national historical parks.

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Greenbrier Valley

From outdoor recreation to culture and history, you’ll find it all in the picturesque Greenbrier Valley. Here, charming mountain towns with main streets that boast flavorful dishes at diverse restaurants and an assortment of specialty shops and galleries await. Local breweries and cideries have your favorites on tap, coffee shops downtown have your morning pick-me-up on speed dial - and, of course, you’ll also find endless outdoor recreation opportunities!

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The Power of Remote Work

Mikayla Thompson

Research and Policy Analyst , National Institute for Health Care Management

Working remotely is a wonderful experience for me because I can balance my personal life with my productivity at work. To me, remote work means having the freedom to choose my environment and the people around me. It also allows me to travel extensively, visiting family and friends across the country and taking spontaneous trips that would not have been possible in a traditional office environment.

View All Profiles

Unlock West Virginia's Top Talent

Looking for exceptional talent to drive your business forward? Universities in West Virginia are combining their resources to prepare graduates for success in today's dynamic job market. WVU and Marshall have a pool of skilled and motivated professionals equipped with the tools and mindset to thrive in evolving industries. By connecting with our graduates, you'll not only secure top-notch employees, but also contribute to the growth and transformation of our state through the power of remote and hybrid work.

View Employer Page

First Ascent Today

All Articles

Member Spotlight: Eliza Siefert Makes a Positive Impact on WV

Latoya West | September 09, 2024

Eliza Siefert, a 2024 WVU graduate and Parkersburg native, loved West Virginia. However, like many West Virginians, Eliza had every intention of leaving her beloved home state to...

Continue Reading: Member Spotlight: Eliza Siefert Makes a Positive Impact on WV

Member Spotlight: Ian Thayer

Latoya West | October 01, 2024

‘I think this state gives me more reasons to stay, than reasons to leave.’ This state has provided me with so much over the years, and I only feel that it is right for me to give back in"...

Continue Reading: Member Spotlight: Ian Thayer

Take the next step

Unlock new opportunities and redefine your career with First Ascent!

Apply Now

Work, Reimagined

Work Anywhere. Choose Home.

Need Help Securing a Hybrid/Remote Job?

Take the Next Step:

Perks

Work Without Limits

Network, Cowork, Groundwork

More than a Backdrop

Community in Your Corner

Explore Communities

Morgantown Area

Huntington Area

Greater Elkins

Eastern Panhandle

Greenbrier Valley

The Power of Remote Work

Mikayla Thompson

Unlock West Virginia's Top Talent

First Ascent Today

Member Spotlight: Eliza Siefert Makes a Positive Impact on WV

Member Spotlight: Ian Thayer

Take the next step

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