Harnessing Social Capital: Networking Strategies for University Students’ Career Development

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Abstract

This article explores networking strategies for university students’ career development, grounded in Social Capital Theory. Networking involves building relationships that provide support, knowledge, guidance, and career opportunities. Key questions addressed include the benefits and barriers of networking for students and ways to improve their networking skills. The theoretical framework emphasizes the importance of social capital in accessing resources and opportunities. The methodology includes literary reviews from various scholarly publications. Findings highlight networking’s role in enhancing employability, job performance, and career satisfaction. The study also identifies barriers such as introversion and cultural misconceptions and suggests educational interventions to equip students with essential networking skills for successful career navigation.
Keywords: Networking, Career Development, University Student, Social Capital Theory

Author

• Meytty Jeanly Pattikawa, Texas A&M University