Career Development Courses and Social Capital

Abstract

Held at the annual American College Personnel Association convention, this presentation highlights research conducted in partnership with Career Services at the University of Minnesota. Using a sample of first-year students who completed the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey (n = 1,864), of whom approximately one-third (n = 666) enrolled in career courses, this study suggests that students who enrolled in career courses are more socially involved than those who did not enroll in career courses. Contending that social involvement increases students' social networks, it is suggested that career courses can, in turn, increase students' social capital.