Social capital and internship experiences are crucial to finding opportunities in the labor market and building a successful career. However, many students from disadvantaged backgrounds often lack the networks that can help them find and successfully navigate early work experiences. First Workings is a non-profit organization that seeks to create access and support by connecting youth from disadvantaged New York City communities to paid internships, training, and mentors at firms looking for young, talented, diverse workers.

In this episode, Kevin Davis, Founder and Chairman of First Workings, describes his career in finance and his vision for helping young people find the first rung of career ladders. Together, we discuss the inequalities in opportunity for the young people he serves, and the importance of social capital, relationships at work, diversity in the workplace, and vocation.

Mentioned in the Episode

First Workings

First Workings partners

First Workings alumni network

Kevin Davis Biography

Chicago Board of Trade (merged with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in 2007)

Financial Futures

ED&F Man (Commodities division)

Man Group

Man Financial (Man Group brokerage division which was separated from Man Group

in 2007)

London Exchange

Refco’s bankruptcy

NY Stock Exchange

Enron Corporation

New York University (NYU)

U.S. Workforce Demographics

Lazard Frères & Co.

Morgan Stanley

Mount Sinai

Lenox Hill Hospital

U.S. College graduation rates and Drop-Out rates