Over the course of eight weeks, a mixed method action based research study was conducted to analyze what effect a career portfolio development program had on the career preparedness of six first-generation student-athletes at a post-secondary academic institution. This study was quantitative in nature through the collection of retention rates, grade point averages, and student demographics from those in the focus group. The qualitative data was from structured surveys, and semi-structured interviews as students in the focus group completed the tenets of the career-preparedness portfolio such as creating a resume, writing a cover letter, and exercising interview techniques. This study aimed to analyze the ways in which career services in higher education can best serve its student population and found that first-generation student athletes were receptive to and benefitted from a structured program where they had means to develop their social cognitive competencies and career preparedness. Participants responded positively to the program and felt that it lent them an opportunity to be more prepared to pursue career exploration within their respective fields. Additional tenets of the portfolio program could include mentoring programs, tailored career development, and job search strategies to an expand student skill base in being prepared for their post-graduate employment.