When one of us shines: what social capital really looks like
Written by Lauren McGlamery, engagement director
At Build Carolina, we talk a lot about technical and career readiness skills. However, one of the most powerful resources our learners walk away with isn’t found in a curriculum but in connecting with and giving back to our growing community of learners and partners.
What is social capital?
Social capital is the value you get from building real relationships—trust, support, and the people who have your back. It’s not just about networking; it’s about showing up for others, helping when you can, and staying connected. In tech, where paths are rarely linear, your relationships often become the roadmap for your next step.
Recently, Caleb McQuaid, founder of Purple Wren Digital, spoke on a panel hosted by NextGEN about the importance of social capital for founders.
“My social capital has best been built by establishing genuine connections that I’ve invested in faithfully.”
Caleb’s story demonstrates the long-term benefits of investing in skills training for career changers in South Carolina. After graduating from our full-time coding program, Caleb went on to work in the industry as a software engineer. He gave back to our learner community almost immediately by offering free workshops across the state and supporting other career changers in learning to code. He invested in relationships along the way and eventually launched his own company, allowing him to hire fellow graduates and leverage his network to gain clients and community support.
A lesson on social capital from Schitt’s Creek
Talking about social capital brings to mind a scene from Schitt’s Creek, Season 3, Episode 13, where Moira Rose declares, “When one of us shines, all of us shine.” It’s a great sentiment... but in classic Moira fashion, she mostly uses it to keep herself center stage. The words are right, but the intention is way off.
You gain social capital through showing up for others, building trust over time, and celebrating each other’s wins like they’re your own. It’s how we rise together, not just individually.
As we see in Caleb’s story, social capital can turn classmates into collaborators and colleagues, mentors into advisors and referrers, and a network into a launchpad. Caleb didn’t just gain technical skills over the years—he showed up consistently and stayed rooted in the community, helping others shine. And when it was time to build something of his own, that investment paid off.
You can’t always plan when you’ll need support on your career journey, but having a strong network means you don’t have to go alone, whatever direction you go. Whether switching industries, learning something new, or leveling up in your current role, the people you’ve built trust with can make all the difference.
You never know when giving back to your community will pay off. A classmate can pass your name along for an open role. A mentor might help you prep for a technical interview. Someone you met in a workshop might become a future collaborator. Social capital isn’t about collecting contacts but building genuine, mutual relationships that grow alongside your career.
It matters at every stage—not just if you become a founder someday, but anytime you’re taking a leap, making a move, or figuring out what’s next.
You don’t have to build social capital alone. Our Slack community is full of people at every stage of the tech journey—learning, sharing, and growing together. If you’re looking for a place to connect, ask questions, or just cheer each other on, we’d love to have you.