Exploring How Undergraduates Conceive of Social Capital in the Pursuit of Employment (Poster 23)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Social Capital and Social Networks in Education (San Diego)

Abstract

When seeking employment, “who you know” can be an important factor in shaping the type of job offers received. Social capital relates to the connections a person can draw on, and those connections’ knowledge and resources. Research has examined the role of social capital in employment primarily through a quantitative lens. We conduct semi-structured interviews with 24 upper-grade students at a highly selective public university to see how they understand, try to use, and experience challenges in using social capital in their transition toward employment. We find that students view structured networking efforts very differently ‘natural’ connections with co-workers; and that students are particularly uncertain of when/how to engage in communication to maintain/strengthen connections with an existing contact.

Authors

• Karmin Mazzocchi, University of Michigan

• Dan Fitzpatrick, University of Michigan

• Kate Silbert, University of Michigan

• Jenn Millspaugh, University of Michigan