Section3.1It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know
You may have heard this cliché before. A lot of clichés are clichés because there is some truth in them. First, it is important to note that technical competence and ability is by far the most important factor when it comes to your professional success. If you can’t do the job, you won’t get the job. This section is not insinuating that it isn’t important to study and learn. The question is: how can you distinguish yourself from a crowded field of graduates? You will be graduating with and competing against thousands of other people that have the exact same qualifications as you do. How do you get a job?
Before reading this chapter, describe what you think it means to "be professional." How does your definition of professionalism change depending on the setting and people you are with?
If you do not have a lot to add that is okay! This is just a place to write your initial thoughts so you can see how much you learned about being a professional by the end of this chapter.
You cultivate relationships. It is important that you act professionally and cultivate relationships with everyone you come into contact with at a University. Everyone is italicized for emphasis because I mean everyone at the University. From the President of your University to the administrative assistants in your department, all your professors, your classmates, the academic advisers, the janitorial staff… everyone.
I could fill a whole chapter on anecdotes that show this is true but you probably already have a gut feeling that this is true. This may be the most common sense piece of advice in this entire book that I have noticed most students not taking to heart.
Why is it important to treat everyone professionally and how does that help you get a job? Let’s list out a decidedly non-comprehensive list of ways people can help you:
Your current classmates might be your future co-workers or even bosses. If they like and respect you, they might hire you or suggest you for hire by their boss.
Your professors likely have contacts and friends in industry but they will not stake their professional reputation on a student they don’t believe in. By treating your professors with respect and working hard in their classes, they will be more likely to recommend you.
Your academic adviser usually gets solicited by companies looking for students for prestigious internships and experiences. In my experience, they do not pick the A students randomly, they pick the students they like and who treated them professionally.
The list goes on and on but the common thread through all of it, is acting professionally and courteously can go a long way in helping you get a job. You need to realize that hiring is risky and scary and people are always looking for a known quantity over an unknown one. If you can get a recommendation from a professor, or other University official, it will go a long way. If you slack off in your classes, argue with your professors, and treat the University support staff disrespectfully, you will have a much harder time getting a job.
Take a moment to talk to someone that you know is a professional and ask them if they have a story where “it’s not what you know, it is who you know” has helped them in life (also make sure they are comfortable with you sharing this info).
