Brokering is particularly important for more marginalized youth, who face barriers to building networks. They often have limited access to professional mentors and networks, unfamiliarity with workplace norms, and fewer networking opportunities. There's also the problem of connection hoarding. Research has shown the ways that affluent parents’ strategically reserve their social connections to help their own children gain college admissions, secure internships, provide insider knowledge for career advancement, and ensure a smooth transition into the workforce.

By Jean Rhodes As universities grapple with surging demand…

By Jean Rhodes For years, educators and mentors have wrestled…