Strengthen Learners’ Social Capital Networks and Engagement

Social capital and economic connectedness across socioeconomic classes are important drivers of economic mobility.1 Learners with social connections across socioeconomic classes are more likely to be able to leverage their network for future career success. In K-12, college, service, and workplace settings, learners should be provided with structured and supported opportunities to meet employers, mentors, and peers across socioeconomic groups. Experiences that build social capital may look different at different grade levels and should be appropriately matched to learners’ development and skills.

One strategy for supporting learners’ social capital development is to directly embed professional networking into coursework. Through structured opportunities to practice networking with employers in low-stakes environments, learners build networks and social capital with professionals in their field of interest while gaining exposure into that industry.

Braven, an intermediary organization connecting higher education, college success organizations, and employers, regularly convenes employer-engagement events, such as industry spotlight panels, networking sessions, and skill-building opportunities, where learners interact with professionals in their industries of interest. Braven staff design and facilitate these experiences so that they are safe spaces to practice networking, while also creating the conditions for learners to make meaningful connections with professionals. Through these events, employers also have access to prospective employees from a wider variety of backgrounds to grow their talent pipelines.2