Date of Award
12-2025
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Academic Program
Economics BA
Department
Economic and Workforce Development
First Advisor
Karen Kozlowski, Ph.D.
Advisor Department
Anthropology and Sociology
Abstract
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. Research has been done in the past that discusses how cultural capital is transferred through families, its role in academic settings, and its impact on employability. However, 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 junior and senior undergraduates 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.
Copyright
Copyright for this thesis is owned by the author. It may be freely accessed by all users. However, any reuse or reproduction not covered by the exceptions of the Fair Use or Educational Use clauses of U.S. Copyright Law or without permission of the copyright holder may be a violation of federal law. Contact the administrator if you have additional questions.
Recommended Citation
Sullivan, Keynijah, "Beyond the Classroom: The Role of Cultural Capital in College-to-Career Transitions" (2025). Honors Theses. 1073.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/1073