Which scenario best illustrates social capital in action?

• A. Kelly Herrera has a five-year finance career and connects with an alumna who helps her land a better interview.
• B. Two neighbors discuss their children's upcoming entry into the first grade; one parent lobbies for a specific teacher based on prior experience.
• C. A student studies alone without help from others.
• D. A family relies on a single source of income.

Answer: (A)

Social capital is the advantages you gain from your relationships and the networks you can tap into. In this scenario, Kelly Herrera leverages a connection with an alumna to land a better interview, which is a clear example of using a trusted network to access opportunities that might not be available through solitary effort. The alumna’s status and the trust between them help open a doorway—information, referrals, and credibility that can boost Kelly’s chances. This differs from simply working harder on one’s own or relying on a single income source, where benefits come from individual skills or resources rather than from social connections. So, the scenario with the alumna best illustrates social capital in action.