The modern economy is vast and diverse. Few of the students you meet will end up in your line of work—even if they share your major. As a result, they’ll probably never be in a position to help you. If you’re looking for a good job, you don’t want generic contacts. You want relevant contacts.105 Friends in your narrowly defined occupation are quite lucrative.106 So are older male relatives (father, uncle, grandfather) who know the boss or vouch for you.107 When researchers estimate the average benefit of “contacts” or “social networks,” though, some find a positive effect on employment and
...more
