Who opened a door for you?

For many young adults, reaching milestones like pursuing higher education or landing a promising internship or first job is more attainable with social capital. Defined as the strength of our relationships and communities, social capital is an invisible edge. Whether it’s a mentor, well-placed introduction, or letter of recommendation, it can propel individuals further in their careers. Without it, even the most talented young person can struggle to navigate career advancement and achieve long-term financial stability.

A 2020 LinkedIn survey highlights the importance of social capital to career mobility: 73% of people land jobs through personal connections, and 89% of hiring managers prioritize referrals when making hiring decisions. A 2024 Wall Street Journal article reported “who-you-know networking is back,” as the rise of AI and new software available to applicants and hiring managers dominate recruiting processes and referrals are the key to standing out.  

Yet for young adults from low-income backgrounds and communities of color, this resurgence of referral-heavy practices risks reinforcing exclusion—especially when existing professional networks may lean homogenous and insular. Studies show low-income young adults of color report low confidence in their ability to network and build connections that can advance their educational and professional goals.

Social capital is about confidence, support, and access, not just opportunity. And for too many young adults, building those networks feels out of reach without targeted programs or intentional support.

Addressing common barriers

The connections that matter most for career advancement are “weak ties,” a concept introduced by sociologist Mark Granovetter in the early 1970’s. These varied relationships that extend beyond family and friends offer expanded access to overall support, different industries, insider knowledge about opportunities, and introductions that can open doors that were previously out of reach. But these types of connections are often the hardest to come by.  

Cultivating a broad network of connections across industries and experience levels takes time and intentionality. For many young adults, it can be hard to know where to start. The barrier is more than a lack of access to key networks—it’s having tools and skills to confidently navigate unfamiliar, and often unwelcoming or even discriminatory, workplace and professional norms, sometimes referred to as cultural capital.  

For young adults from historically underrepresented communities, cultivating social capital—particularly connections in high-paying industries like healthcare and technology—can be especially difficult. Organizations like COOP Careers are addressing this gap. Designed for first-generation college students, COOP is mobilizing a network of first-gen alumni now established in their careers and has supported more than 5,000 young adults in building the connections they need. Adanta Ahanonu, COOP Careers’ Chief Program Officer, shares, “COOP closes the social capital gap and propels our fellows into upward economic mobility through an untapped lever of social capital-building: peer connections."

Spotlighting what works

Some high-quality programs combine network-building with skill development, helping participants gain both the hard and soft skills necessary for professional success. The Career Pathways Bridge Program at New York University exemplifies this approach, partnering with business leaders, educators, and local leaders to address systemic inequalities and create networks for historically marginalized students.  

In addition, Project Basta prepares young people of color and first-generation college students for both securing full-time jobs and providing support in navigating racial and gender bias in the workplace. Nearly 80% of Basta fellows secure employment within 12 months of program completion—and professional connections help level the playing field.

Sustaining success beyond the first job

Perhaps most importantly, support cannot end once a young person secures their first job. Young adults need to continue building their social capital as they navigate promotions, workplace challenges, and work to find a sense of belonging. The American Opportunity Index, a joint project of the Burning Glass Institute, the Managing the Future of Work Project at Harvard Business School, and the Schultz Family Foundation, provides valuable data on which companies truly provide pathways for advancement, helping both employers improve their practices, and young adults make informed career decisions.

Studies have shown that individuals with access to broader professional networks are more likely to learn about job openings, receive higher-quality job offers, and experience faster wage growth over time. The path forward is clear: by intentionally creating or funding programs that provide access to diverse, safe, and well-resourced social networks, we can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent talented young adults from reaching their full potential.

When we invest in social capital, we don’t just expand opportunity for individuals, we strengthen entire communities and drive economic mobility for generations to come.