This study was grounded on a theoretical framework that integrates Bourdieu’sconcept of sociocultural capital with Blustein’s Relational Theory of Working,which recognizes that social structures and interpersonal connections shapecareer trajectories. The main objective of this research was to investigate therelationship between students’ sociocultural backgrounds and their careerresources, as well as the role of grit in this relationship. To accomplish this, across-sectional study was conducted on 2353 Portuguese Higher Educationstudents. Multiple Correspondence Analysis was applied to define students’sociocultural profiles and structural equation modeling was used to test theresearch hypothesis. The results evidenced that students’ sociocultural profilesdid not present a direct effect on the environment factor of career resources,however an indirect effect — via grit — was found. For the other three careerresources (knowledge and skills, motivation, and career management behaviors)students’ sociocultural profiles presented both direct and indirect effects (via grit).This interaction underscores that, while students’ backgrounds shape careerresources, grit can help bridge disparities. This study expands the existingliterature by incorporating the impact of sociocultural factors and grit, advocatingfor higher education institutions to recognize diverse backgrounds and promotegrit-enhancing initiatives. Such an approach could help mitigate socioeconomicdisparities in higher education, offering insights into educational policies thatfoster equitable career development.

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career resources,profiles,grit,higher education,educational equity

• Psychology - Social Sciences
• Educational Sciences - Social Sciences

This publication is an output of the following project(s):

• Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: GPU processing, is it worth it?