The Meritocracy Trap: Why Sharing Social Capital is Critical for Student Success

Career Level: Intermediate career services and university relations and recruiting professionals
Competency: Relationship development and management
Fee: $69 (member); $89 (nonmember);

Summary
As the great equalizer of the college experience, career development programs must acknowledge and address gaps in social capital. Although there are differences in the interpretation and definition of social capital, it is widely accepted as a necessity for workplace success and post-collegiate engagement. To support students in exploring their post-graduation potential, career development teams must be well-equipped to provide social capital-focused connections, resources, and expertise. Investing in social capital is not as simple as networking.

Following this program, you will be able to:
- Establish a framework for engagement in this critical element of career development in their own university environments;
- Learn best practices related to coaching students through building and maintaining social capital; and
- Develop critical insight into the concept of social capital, including its definition, relation to higher education and career development.
Presenters

Lisa Mann, Director of the Career Center, The University of North Carolina at Asheville
Lisa Mann is the director in the Career Center at UNC Asheville. She has more than 15 years of experience in career education, ranging from academic affairs to student affairs, including managing an internship program for community college students. She began her career working at a culinary nonprofit in New York City and has lived in Virginia, North Carolina, and New York (twice). Her areas of expertise include internship best practices, building high functioning teams, and assessment. She led the UNC Asheville Career Center to its first national award in 2020, the NACE Member's Choice Award for rebranding and packaging career fairs to better appeal to a Gen Z audience. Lisa completed her undergraduate degree in sociology at Wake Forest University and her Master of Education in community counseling at The College of William & Mary. She completed NACE Management Leadership Institute training in 2016 and is an active member of state-wide, regional, and national career development associations.

Ana Clara Blesso, Graduate Career & Professional Development, University of Connecticut – School of Business – Business Analytics & Project Management
Ana Clara Blesso (she/her/hers) serves as the director of Graduate Career & Professional Development for the UConn School of Business. She has been working in career development in higher education for 10 years at High Point University, Fairfield University, and in past roles at the University of Connecticut. She began her UConn journey as a member of the Center for Career Development team, where her work supporting undocumented student populations earned her the honor of finalist of the Member’s Choice Award with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Since January of 2018, she has served as a practitioner instructor for her alma mater, Wake Forest University, where she teaches career counseling and clinical courses. She holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Wake Forest, an undergraduate degree from Assumption College, and two certificates from the University of South Florida, in post-crisis leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. In her personal time, she serves as Board Member of She Votes and Board Member of the Connecticut Women’s Education & Legal Fund (CWEALF).