Connecting the What and the Who

When I was growing up, my Grandmother would always say, “It’s not what you know, its who you know!” It seems to be a regular saying of hers. She says it with great conviction too. The look she gives and the way she says it is piercing.

Previously, I have disregarded this motto. In fact, I would get quite irritated by hearing the line. Life is not a popularity contest. Or is it?

I do think in a classroom what you know is important. You need to comprehend the material of each course. In order to pass, this part is critical.

Commuting to school, definitely goes in the what category as well. You should understand the regulations of driving if you are going to operate a vehicle.

So far as I have seen, what I know seems to be way more important.

However, I keep discovering that my Grandma wasn’t merely shooting the breeze. Today, at USAO, I learned the implication of my Grandmother’s saying. Its value finally registered.

I was thinking about what to do after school. Where will I work? Most jobs require references. To get in with certain places, an advantage is given for knowing someone there.

To carry significant credence in the world, you need to have connections. What you know will only take you so far as the door. Connecting what you know with who you know opens those doors.