Closing the First-Gen Underemployment Gap with the Founder of Basta, Sheila Sarem

Getting into college is a massive achievement—but for first-generation students, graduating is often just the beginning of a new struggle. Why are so many talented graduates stuck in "underemployment" traps?

In this episode, Todd Zipper sits down with Sheila Sarem, Co-Founder and CEO of Basta. Sheila shares her journey from the front lines of hiring at DC Public Schools and KIPP to launching a nonprofit that bridges the "Last Mile" between college completion and career launch.

We discuss:

• The systemic "signaling" problems that keep recruiters from finding first-gen talent.
• How the Seekr Survey provides a roadmap for career readiness.
• The "Experience Paradox": How to land an entry-level job when you don't have a traditional internship.
• Basta's recent expansion into the Carolinas and Philadelphia.
• What university presidents should be measuring beyond graduation rates.

Whether you are an educator, a hiring manager, or a student of the labor market, this conversation offers a data-driven look at how we can finally fulfill the promise of higher education for everyone.