Helping Students to Build and Expand Their Networks with Julia Freeland Fisher

Our guest for this episode of College & Career Readiness Radio is Julia Freeland Fisher, Director of Education Research at the Clayton Christensen Institute.

Julia explores how student success is shaped not just by what they know, but who they know—emphasizing the critical role of social capital in college and career readiness.

Julia, author of Who You Know, shares research showing that approximately half of jobs and internships are accessed through personal connections, making network-building an essential component of opportunity.

Many educators focus on expanding students’ networks by introducing them to new people, but Julia encourages a shift in mindset: networking can start with deeper, more intentional conversations with existing contacts—family, teachers, coaches, and community members.