Building Capital

Capital is a term that refers to something you possess that benefits you. While the first type of capital you likely think of is financial (money that you can use), there are many forms.

Why is college the ideal time for capital building?

In college, you can access many resources that are difficult to access outside of a college environment. For example, in college, you have a career exploration group that provides career guidance and preparation as you think about your future, and colleges often have access to extensive library, arts, and cultural resources at no additional charge (or minimal charge). Also, everyone in college is focused on BETTER, increasing knowledge and skills, and taking advantage of experiences that help you build a deeper understanding of what you learn and the world around you. For most people, college is a great time to build capital- which means using the services offered and enjoying and immersing themselves in the experience available.

College is an ideal time to build :

Intellectual capital is the knowledge, skills, and expertise you’ve developed (typically through formal education like college, workforce development, certification, etc.). Intellectual capital builds your critical thinking, gives you new ways to understand and address problems, and provides foundational knowledge that you use in all aspects of your life.

Experiential capital is what you know from your experiences that help you understand yourself, others, the world around you, and specific areas. Experiential capital helps you to build your ability to think strategically, understand real-world problems more deeply, and develop confidence in your problem-solving skills and abilities.

Social capital refers to the relationships you have and connections you create. Social capital gives you access to information, opportunities, resources, and learning from people with shared interests and values.

Cultural capital includes your understanding of your own culture and other cultures and your exposure to history, stories, languages, and customs. It helps you understand yourself and others, work effectively with those who may have different experiences than you, and interpret cultural expressions such as art, music, books, and more.

Suggestions on how to build capital as a college student