Giving Compass' Take:

•  Atnre Alleyne, writing for The 74, is asking for professionals to help high school graduates gain social capital by creating more networks for them to elevate their career prospects. 

• How can donors fund programs that help foster social capital connections in schools? 

• Read more about why youth need social capital. 

The career and technical education comeback is fierce across the country right now. At their best, curricula are being redesigned to give students industry-relevant experiences and set them on pathways to mid- to high-skills jobs. Students are acquiring industry-recognized credentials and even college credits while they’re still in high school. Businesses are forming closer partnerships with schools.

Collections of anecdotes do not equate to outcomes at scale. And if we are seeking actual results, we must take an honest look at the labor market and realize that the career pathway conversation is missing something critical: Changing the career prospects of students, especially those from the least advantaged backgrounds, requires networks of privilege as well as pathways.

As much as we like to assume a meritocratic market and revel in do-it-yourself success stories, the overwhelming majority of jobs and positions are filled through networking.

Research tells us that people tend to socialize within homogeneous networks and get hired by people who are culturally similar to themselves. For the most privileged, this provides access to the best career connections, information and opportunities, while those lacking in social capital are left to fend for themselves in the labor market. One example: Research tells us that a “black-sounding” name is enough to limit a job applicant’s opportunities. Given this unfair talent acquisition market, we need to be as willing to open our networks as we are to open CTE programs.

What if, in addition to enrolling students in career pathway programs, there were a widespread commitment to placing them in high-quality job opportunities? What if companies ensured that their paid internships help dismantle privilege? What if school districts partnered with nonprofits that place students in high-quality internships? What if more of us were willing to share our contacts to create professional opportunities for students?

Read the full article about privilege of networks by Atnre Alleyne at The 74.