34th Annual UMBC McNair & Undergraduate Research National Conference

For many college students, the transition into the workforce is shaped not only by academic knowledge, but also by access to less visible resources, often referred to as cultural capital. While past research has been done that discusses how cultural capital is transferred through families, its role in academic settings, and its impact on employability, there is a gap in research focusing on the role of cultural capital in college-to-career transitions. This study uses qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews with juniors and seniors at the University of Southern Mississippi. The purpose of this study is to better understand how students' access to and use of cultural capital and university-provided resources influence students’ career preparation. The interviews look at how students’ identities, career goals, support systems, and engagement with campus resources affect their preparation for life after college. Overall, this project aims to fill a gap in current literature and to find ways that universities can better support students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, as they transition into the workforce.

Keywords: career preparation, cultural capital, job readiness, student support services, college-to-career transition, higher education
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