Find your future in West Virginia

A two-year community and career development program helping recent graduates launch meaningful careers, build lasting connections, and create a life they love in West Virginia.

Check Out the Transformation

Find Your Future Here

Graduating is just the beginning. First Ascent helps recent graduates navigate life after college through career support, mentorship, professional development, outdoor experiences and a built-in community of peers who are choosing to build their future in West Virginia. 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

Career Support Designed for Every Path

Whether you're pursuing a local opportunity, remote position, entrepreneurship, or other role, First Ascent provides the tools, connections and support to help you succeed!

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

Career Development

From career coaching, to resume reviews, to networking events, professional development, and mentorship, First Ascent will help you find the right path 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

Choosing West Virginia means choosing adventure. Program members have access to free gear rentals, outdoor recreation and group adventures. 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!

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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 48 Donley. 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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New River Gorge

A destination that’s loved by avid nature enthusiasts and new explorers alike, the New River Gorge area is the perfect place to plant roots. At the heart of the New River Gorge, Fayetteville was rated one of the coolest small towns in America because of its array of local restaurants, scenic surrounding mountains and recreational activities. With close proximity to Charleston, the New River Gorge is the perfect location to work remotely.

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Charleston Area

West Virginia’s capital city sits at the crossroads of nature and culture. It’s a place where outdoor adventure and city life coexist effortlessly. Charleston offers an exceptional quality of life that blends the energy of a city with the heart of a small town. Charleston is ideally situated with easy access to the rivers, mountains, and forests that make WV special: including the nation’s newest National Park: the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It’s the perfect blend of urban amenities with nature at your doorstep.

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Building a Future in West Virginia

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.

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Unlock West Virginia's Top Talent

Looking for exceptional talent to drive your business forward? First Ascent connects employers with motivated graduates who are committed to building careers and communities in West Virginia. 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 flexible work.

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First Ascent Today

All Articles

Where Passion and Purpose Converge

Faith Abdullah and Phoebe Durst | May 09, 2026

Finding purpose often begins with finding your community. Eliza Siefert transformed her passion for protecting West Virginia's waterways into meaningful action, building connections, and creating lasting impact across the state.

Continue Reading: Where Passion and Purpose Converge

A West Virginia Native Redefining What it Means to Thrive in the Mountain State

Faith Abdullah | November 23, 2025

After college, Jake Ellis chose to build his career and life in West Virginia instead of leaving the state. His story highlights how the right support system can help graduates find belonging, purpose, and a future in the Mountain State.

Continue Reading: A West Virginia Native Redefining What it Means to Thrive in the Mountain State

Ready to Build Your Future in West Virginia?

Join a community of graduates who are launching careers, making connections and creating lives the love across the Mountain State.

Apply Now

Find your future in West Virginia

Find Your Future Here

Career Support Designed for Every Path

Take the Next Step:

Perks

Career Development

Network, Cowork, Groundwork

More than a Backdrop

Community in Your Corner

Explore Communities

Morgantown Area

Huntington Area

Greater Elkins

Eastern Panhandle

Greenbrier Valley

New River Gorge

Charleston Area

Building a Future in West Virginia

Mikayla Thompson

Unlock West Virginia's Top Talent

First Ascent Today

Where Passion and Purpose Converge

A West Virginia Native Redefining What it Means to Thrive in the Mountain State

Ready to Build Your Future in West Virginia?

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