ABOUT GORICK

Welcome!

I’m a first-gen college grad, author, and career adviser who is on a mission to level the playing field for talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

I wrote my first resume when I was 14 years old for my working-class, single mother who lost her job. I went on to attend Harvard as a first-generation, low-income college student.

I am a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, a career adviser at Harvard, and a faculty member at UC Berkeley, where I teach a course based on my book, The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right. Previously, I worked at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as a management consultant, Credit Suisse as an investment banker, and with Harvard Business School as a researcher for the Managing the Future of Work project.

When I am not at UC Berkeley teaching or on the road speaking, I live with my spouse and Dotty the dog in the Bay Area, where I can be found taking long hikes in nature and blasting country music and movie soundtracks.

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I was born and raised in Toronto to a working-class single mother.

My second dream job (after I decided I no longer wanted to be a bus driver): magician.

I became the first in my family to attend college.

I graduated from Harvard, becoming the first in my family to graduate college.

I started my career off in investment banking and management consulting.

I returned to get my MBA at Harvard Business School.

After 5 years researching and writing, I released my first book, which debuted at #3 on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list.

I’ve become an author and speaker on talent development, diversity and inclusion, and the first-gen experience.

I joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley, where I currently teach the unspoken rules of career navigation.

The Latest from Gorick

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For Students

My advice for the Class of 2023: Become your own professor in the school of life.

To “become your own professor” is to commit to the pursuit of self-development even when it looks completely different from how you’ve spent the last decade and a half. Society has set a low bar. Do just a bit more than the bare minimum and you’ll already be ahead—and will continue to stay ahead.

For Professionals

Tips for Leading a Successful Book Club Discussion

Learn how to facilitate effective book club discussions, including how to structure your meetings, how to encourage participation, and how to conduct icebreakers.

For Students

An Open Letter to First-Generation Students During College Decision Season

As college decision day nears, many students are asking themselves the same questions: How do I pick which college to go to? What makes one college better than another? How can I make an informed decision about my future, especially if no one in my family has pursued a higher education before? Harvard career adviser and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Gorick Ng offers advice for first-generation and/or low-income students navigating the college decision process.

For Students

10 ways to stay productive if your summer plans have been derailed

Did your summer internship offer get withdrawn? Did your study abroad plans get canceled? Did the start date of your full-time job get pushed back? Here are 10 options for staying productive this summer.