Social mobility is a term you'll hear quite often when it comes to career development. In a nutshell, it means being able to change your place in the world in a direction that's upward and empowering!

Why is this important? Because, if you are part of an under-represented group, it relates to the kinds of life opportunities and choices open to you to develop yourself professionally and personally, and to thrive.

On a personal level, the following things can impact your social mobility:

• Your background
• Your education
• Your skills and knowledge
• Your mindset
• Your social capital: the social bonds, the networks and relationships you build and belong to- who you know. Networks are HUGELY important when it comes to developing your career and when job hunting.

Societal factors can include:

• Your class, your race, and your gender.
• Economic opportunities and job availability in the area you live.
• Your geographic location and geo-politics.
• Government policy and initiatives can impact social mobility.
• Cultural norms and values, societal changes can impact social mobility.

Finally, things like luck and chance, being in the right place at the right time.

Here are 5 strategies to break down barriers, boost your social mobility and build your social capital:

1. Get involved asap with your university's DEI career /extracurricular programmes and initiatives and any student union opportunities!

2. Build and nurture professional relationships through networking- get as comfortable as you can new meeting people, introducing yourself and sharing your career ambitions.

3. Find a Mentor: Having a strong network means there will be potential mentors who can guide you and your career path.

4. Work on building your personal brand.

5. Mine your network's knowledge so you can keep your skills and industry knowledge up to date.

To wrap it up- Social mobility can help you broaden your horizons, expand your life chances, get access to higher incomes, greater financial stability, and job security which believe me will all become very important to you when you graduate!  It can also bring you recognition, personal fulfilment, and the chance to amplify your unique voice in the world making it a better place.

Finally, ask for help when you need it. Social mobility is a journey so start now! Spend 30 minutes this week researching employers and organisation who promote social mobility through initiatives, programmes, and graduate schemes: they know that supporting under-represented talented individuals to emerge and reach their potential directly benefits their companies too making them more relevant, more inclusive, more dynamic, and more innovative. Follow them on LinkedIn and join conversations or contribute your thoughts.

Suggested resources

upReach: an award-winning social mobility charity

 Clu, an inclusive recruitment platform working to remove the barriers people in underrepresented groups often experience to create economic inclusion and social mobility at scale.

Target Jobs Black Excellence Programme  where students of black heritage can meet with employers, attend workshops and build networks.

PwC Black Talent in Business Programme

KPMG Black Heritage Talent Insight Programmes

10000 Interns Foundation  paid internship programmes for black students and graduates.

Stonewall Proud Employers List of organisations who welcome, respect and represent LGBTQ+ employees.  

Disability Confident Employer Scheme View a list of employers that have signed up to the scheme.

The Valuable 500 is a 500 strong collective of influential brands and businesses committed to disability inclusion.

By Anna Gordon - Certified Business Coaching Psychologist ABP CBCP