Discover why social capital—access to and the ability to mobilize connections—is critical to helping students further their potential and goals. To learn more, visit www.WhoYouKnow.org.
Transcript:
What is social capital and why is it essential for students?
Social capital is an individual’s relationships and networks, and the benefits that can potentially accrue by virtue of those relationships.
For students, social capital means access to and the ability to mobilize connections that can help them further their potential and goals.
This includes formal and information connections with teachers, faculty, peers, mentors, industry experts, families, coaches, supervisors, neighbors, counselors, social workers, local businesses, alumni, school volunteers, roommates, religious leaders, community members, senior citizens, academic tutors and more.
A reservoir of social capital increases students’ access to: advice, exposure to new ideas, career opportunities, support.
These benefits set up students for: academic success, college enrollment, job placement, long-term wellbeing.
Education systems can adopt new designs that build and measure their students’ networks.
Schools can help students build their social capital using online tools (a.k.a. ‘edtech that connects’). These tools give students access to mentors, experts, and college advisors who might otherwise be out of reach.
Browse our site for case studies, analysis, and a directory of 100+ tools: WhoYouKnow.org
