Also, good point on networking versus using a social network. Although sometimes the latter does take work, smoozing effectively once you’ve been introduced, it doesn’t have to. In the case with my cousin that I noted (the tech company that tanked), family connections got him a foot in the door but he still had to prove his mettle.

The value of this post is that the author is obviously aware, or becomming aware, of her class status… Maybe more will become more aware as well… The awareness can then lead to change.

It is so weird seeing that chain of thought be applied to me and my life. I know, I know, it’s the kind of thing I advocate all the time here, but… The thought that me, personally, right now, just by talking about my privilege, could possibly help lead to change… It’s just freaky.

As always, thanks for commenting, SD. I’m glad that you’re finally back in action in the blogworld ^_^

Actually, my experience says otherwise: a lot of incompetent or mediocre workers with good connections not only get the plum jobs, but their upper class connections ensure that they all cover their asses. So they *keep* the jobs, as well.

As always, your mileage may vary and all that.

And I think there’s a different between networking, and using your parent’s neighbors at your Hamptons summer home to land a job in a publishing firm. But maybe that’s just me. In the first case, you do the work *locating and fostering* contacts; the other is based on being able to move in rich social networks.

As to the question of whether we would all use such resources to our advantage, if we had them - this isn’t the point. In fact, that reasoning *could* be used to excuse alot of bad behavior. The value of this post is that the author is obviously aware, or becomming aware, of her class status and how it gives her advantages simply through an accident of birth. Maybe more will become more aware as well, reading her post. The awareness can then lead to change.

You’re right in the keeping the job part, unless it’s your family company. Or you get relegated to a useless job that pays well but doesn’t put any real responsibility on your shoulders. For dumb rich kids that sometimes happens.

HW agent types. So far my only literary connections are useful only after we find an agent - for negotiating contracts and the like.

But, to your actual point- yes, it’s who you know, not what you know. As I like to say (in most cases) who you know gets you in the door, but what you know keeps you there. A friend might get you the job, but lets face it, if you are a total dumb ass with no work ethic, it is very unlikely you will *keep* the job.

And unrleated, well, you did mention it, but this is just us. Are you talking HW agent types? Or someone who knows someone who knows a literary agent? What’s the point of those connections if not to abuse them? LOL Yah, anyone without the connections (like me- look at all my work to find a job even though I have the education and experience) whines, but if they had them, they would so use them.

DS - I think it’s mostly just to put on my resume; maybe if I end up working for an American or Canadian company before striking it out on my own it’ll be a point in my favour. Who knows. The events looked dumb to me too, but I never was one for events. My family was shocked that I even went to my own graduation.

Not impressed. Hope you do better.