For me, building social "capital" has always taken conscious effort. I enjoy connecting with others, but there is a substantial amount of planning and execution required to maintain strong ties, reawaken dormant ties, and maintain connection with weaker ties. While most of the material from this module consists of new language to describe familiar ideas, I do have to pause and reflect: networking is viewed in the career services world as a tool to be leveraged, when in actuality, it should be thought of as a set of values. If a person shows their network that they value them intrinsically by maintaining connections and tending to their needs, naturally, members of that network will be more likely to want to reciprocate. Not only is there a tangible gain (jobs, mobility, etc.), but a gain in general sense of wellbeing (such as the delight and mutual understanding that comes with human connection).
More than ever, students are struggling to see beyond the "capital" in social capital. One of the most crucial ways to improve their ability to leverage networks is to emphasize how those networks benefit them now. Relationships with others can transform them as people and offer them immediate social, emotional, and psychological benefits. Not only should we focus on providing opportunities for them to engage with other students through events and in the classroom, we should also be involving them in/encouraging them to seek out community projects whenever possible (service projects, employer partnerships, workshops, hobby projects, etc.). The earlier we connect them to the outside world, the sooner they will see opportunities that can benefit their careers.
