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The Hidden Barriers to Student Success
In today’s AI-driven job market, we face a paradox:
80%
1
of jobs are never advertised — and even when posted, applicants with referrals are up to 20x more likely to get hired 2
52%
of college graduates are under-employed: they do all we tell them to do, get the degree and still can’t build family sustaining, fulfilling careers
37%
of learners don’t believe in or don’t know what is social capital 3
1. The Rochester Study (1966), B. Haldane (How to Make a Habit of Success, 1966), R. Bolles (What Color is Your Parachute, 1970)
2. Based on 80 mn ATS record analyzed by Jeremy Schifeling in 2025 and shared on LinkedIn
3 Climb Together market landscape study included 300 respondents (100 students, 100 adults, 100 parents)
The Reframe
One of the central opportunities students have on campus is developing connections and relationships with faculty, staff, peers, and alumni.
These people, and others in their personal network,* can help students connect with people in industry to have conversations that can lead to career clarity, internships, and jobs in their field of interest.
*e.g.: family, colleagues, people from places of worship, campus or community groups
How We Do It?
Unlocking Social Capital for Economic Mobility: Climb Together works with education-to-career focused high schools, colleges, universities, and workforce organizations to unlock job referrals, relationships, social capital and jobs for learners who need it most.
Social Capital Strategy & Content
Our team of seasoned workforce experts partners with you to create a strategic social capital content plan.
AI-Based Learning
Learners have the opportunity to practice “real” networking conversations with our proprietary AI bot, Goldi.
Alumni Engagement Flywheel
Climb Together helps your institution attract, recruit, and engage employed alumni as “connectors”.
Our Service #2
Our Service #1
Goldi, Social Capital AI Voice Chat Bot
Prepare, practice, reflection integrated with what you already do
Our Service #2
Our Service #2
Social Capital Strategy & Implementation
Combining AI with real life human connections
WHAT WE OFFER
Unlocking job through social capital stories
Stanley
I was laid off from my company earlier this year. I immediately went into job search mode and applied cold to many postings on LinkedIn. I also reached out to my professional network from my workforce upskilling program and landed some interviews. After quite a few rejections, an alumna of my program asked if I was interested in a Salesforce Developer role. She connected me with the recruiter and I landed the job. This is what social capital is all about.
Nicole
My internship at Zuora was an incredible learning experience. I was disappointed when a full-time opportunity wasn't offered to me after the internship ended. After hundreds of cold applications and final interviews, I wasn’t getting any offers. I casually mentioned my job search to a friend whose husband was a well-connected VP of Sales. He connected me to several recruiters and I ended up with two offers shortly after.
Rumman
Over the past year, I threw everything I had into a one-year contract I secured at a fortune 100 company. There was a steep learning curve and I had to overcome many obstacles to prove my worth. Following what I learned at Climb Hire, I intentionally built strong relationships internally with senior leaders who recognized my value and contributions. They helped build my reputation within the team. Due to my relationships and dedication, I was offered the full-time role and am still thriving.
Jesse
I was working for a housing non-profit in a lower level role and struggling to break into management. I received a call from a former colleague who was opening a new facility and needed a leader. He reached out because he knew my work product and dedication. He asked me to interview for the role. I landed my first management role with this relationship and it significantly increased my income and earning power.
Yrel
I was out of work for six months because my company went through mass layoffs. A former colleague reached out after hearing I was affected and mentioned she wanted to hire me for an open role on her team. Because we had worked together successfully before, she knew I could do the job well. This is the power of social capital. It's way more effective than applying cold for jobs.
Nevin
I was looking to acquire a new skill in IT so that I could leave a low paying job at a school district office. I joined Climb Hire and learned many of the skills associated with social capital: active listening, deepening conversations, crafting a compelling story, resume building, interviewing, and making actionable “asks” of people both within and outside of my network. Armed with these new skills and confidence, I leveraged my school district relationships and was referred to an IT job that doubled my salary. This is social capital in action.
Carlos
After completing my Climb Hire program, I was hired by a company as an in-house Salesforce Administrator. I worked closely with two of the company's main clients and built strong relationships. Unfortunately the company shut down due to lack of revenue. Leveraging the connections I built, one of the clients offered me a full-time contract role which then turned into a permanent position six months later. This experience taught me the immense value of social capital and how it can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
Partners
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Implementation partners
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Four year programs
Workforce programs
Online university
Funders
Partner Success Executive Sponsor Quotes
1
Dr. Stacy Mentzer
Vice President of Instruction
Iowa Central Community College
"Iowa Central Community College believes that quality education comes from having quality experiences and building relationships. Partnering with Climb Together/Goldi strengthens our students' durable skills and helps them contribute to the workforce and our community.”
2
Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart
Vice President of Instruction
Chancellor
“Our students are figuring out who they are and where they want to go. Goldi helps them do that. It doesn’t give them the answer, and it doesn’t replace the incredible support our faculty and staff provide. It’s a force multiplier. When students get the right support, they stay connected and move forward with purpose. This is how we use AI at ACC.”
3
Jessica Hills Seliger
Dean of Workforce Development & Continuing Education
BCC
"We know that getting a great job is so much more than checking boxes on a resume. It’s about telling your story in a way that leaps off the page of a resume, and practicing it over and over again. Goldi provides our students individualized coaching. They emerge confident and prepared to tell their stories in professional networking settings."
4
Amy Bosley, Ed.D.
President
Northwest Vista College
“At Northwest Vista College, we know that talent alone is not enough to unlock opportunity. Building social capital and strengthening help-seeking behaviors is essential as part of the Alamo Colleges District’s moonshot to end intergenerational poverty. Through our partnership with Climb Together, Goldi helps students build the confidence to ask, connect, and engage, while developing the networks needed to access the hidden job market and translate their education into meaningful careers.”
5
Dr. Dorothy Collins
Vice President for Enrollment Services
CCAC
"At CCAC, we are committed to preparing students not only for college completion, but for long-term career success. Through our partnership with Climb Together, we are creating meaningful opportunities for students to strengthen communication skills, career readiness, and professional confidence. This partnership reflects our commitment to combining technology, personalized support, and real-world preparation so our students are equipped to succeed in college, careers, and their communities.”
The six core skills* to build social capital:
1
Talk About Yourself Authentically.
Share your story in a way that's genuine and memorable.
2
Ask Questions
About Others.
Show genuine curiosity about the other person's work and life.
3
Actively Listen with Full Attention.
Listen to understand — not just to respond. Be present.
4
Make Connections.
Find Common Ground.
Spot shared interests, experiences, and mutual contacts.
5
Make the Ask.
Right-Sized & Clear.
Know how to ask for something specific and appropriate.
6
Loop Back.
Stay in Touch.
"I thought of you…" — follow up and share updates.
*Based on six years of action research at Climb Hire.
Get in Touch
The six core skills* to build social capital:
1
Talk About Yourself Authentically.
Share your story in a way that's genuine and memorable.
2
Ask Questions
About Others.
Show genuine curiosity about the other person's work and life.
3
Actively Listen with Full Attention.
Listen to understand — not just to respond. Be present.
4
Make Connections.
Find Common Ground.
Spot shared interests, experiences, and mutual contacts.
5
Make the Ask.
Right-Sized & Clear.
Know how to ask for something specific and appropriate.
6
Loop Back.
Stay in Touch.
"I thought of you…" — follow up and share updates.
*Based on six years of action research at Climb Hire.