Building social capital for 1st gen students — Nolvia Delgado // Kaplan Educational Foundation

Show Notes

• 01:02
  Social capital and parental considerations

  Social capital involves equipping students with skills required for professional success, including advocacy, networking, and mentorship. Parents should provide children with the tools to achieve academic and long-term career success.
• 01:48
  Challenges faced by first generation students

  The pandemic limited opportunities for first-gen college students to pursue internships and network. As a result, students' social skills have fallen even further behind compared to the pre-COVID era.
• 02:49
  Reframing social capital for first generation students

  During the pandemic, first-gen students developed valuable skills like managing multiple schedules and caring for younger siblings. While not considered traditionally social capital, these abilities are applicable professionally and can be leveraged for internships or future jobs.
• 03:59
  The relationship between social capital and first

  Social capital significantly influences academic success for first-generation students. Skills like self-advocacy, particularly with professors in the event of issues, are crucial in college and remain a valuable asset throughout their professional careers.
• 06:03
  Cultural impacts on student teacher dynamics

  For some students from different cultural backgrounds, parents instill a belief that the teacher holds absolute authority, hindering a collaborative partnership in education. When students arent encouraged to view teachers as partners, it limits academic success.
• 06:34
  The long term impact of building social capital

  A bachelor's degree potentially boosts lifetime earnings by over $1.2 million compared to a high school diploma. Encouraging skill acquisition for social capital from high school prepares students better for success at the bachelor's level and beyond.
• 07:20
  Practical strategies for parents to help children build social capital

  Recognize and translate childrens experiences, like babysitting, into professional skills. Parents should also encourage children to respectfully practice self-advocacy and seek out mentors at an early age.
• 08:23
  Creating mentorship opportunities for children

  Parents can create mentorship opportunities by connecting children with their network. Ultimately, parents must recognize their children's experiences as assets and help them identify how existing skills can be translated to the professional setting.
• 12:39
  Community organizations for mentorship

  Local community-based organizations have the biggest impact on students because they understand the community's needs. Parents should explore and prioritize local community organizations, as they are more likely to effectively address student needs.
• 14:41
  How parents can support students for academic and professional success

  Listen to what children are comfortable with and avoid pushing too hard, as it might set them back. Factor in the impact of COVID on their education and take the steps to nurture existing skills and support the acquisition of new ones for professional development.