Entrepreneurial Career Development: Using Human Capital, Social Capital, and Distance Education to Achieve Success

Abstract

Individuals, especially women, must be increasingly entrepreneurial in the twenty-first century in order to achievesuccess. It is also important for women to take an entrepreneurial approach to career development. The first keycomponent of an entrepreneurial approach to career development is investing in human capital. Continuousinvestment in human capital increases earning power, opens doors to professional opportunities, and contributesto career advancement. The second key component of an entrepreneurial approach to career development isinvesting in social capital. Women can increase their chances for professional success by developing networksthat connect them to key individuals, assignments, and resources within and outside of organizations. Distanceeducation is the third key component of entrepreneurial career development. Today, distance-delivered coursesand programs create new educational opportunities that women and men can use to invest in their human andsocial capital as well as their potential. This paper presents the three keys to entrepreneurial career developmentalong with evidence that supports the increasing importance for women to enhance their career success byembracing entrepreneurial strategies designed to leverage the connections among human capital, social capital,and distance education.