What you know vs. Who you know

[ersh1428]

There's a lot of talk on TLS about how tight the job market has gotten, and how it's gotten so competitive to get a good job even finishing in say, the top third of a T14.

I'm wondering how much everyone thinks personal connections can play a role in these job opportunities. Does someone in that position have the same difficulty getting a job if they are family friends with a partner in a top firm? And if so, how far down can personal connections play a role. Could it mean a hire for an average student at a T30, or an upper level, if not top of the class student at a T2 or T3.

I'm curious to see what everyone's thoughts are on this.

[sckon]

Im pretty sure every profession works with the name over merit principal to a degree

[No1ustad]

i think an average t30 will be hard-pressed to outperform a upper 1/3 t14 student. i feel like if you're comparing a t20 top 1/3 to a t14 top 1/3, networking can make a difference...