It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know

During my youthful, innocent days, I believed in meritocracy. It made sense that the person who is the most qualified should get the job, trophy, promotion, award, etc. 

So when my dad would recite his mantra “It’s not what you know but who you know,” he would shatter my little perfect world of meritocracy. And I didn’t like it very much. 

But, as much as I hate to admit this, my dad was right. Knowing people gets you places. It has definitely rang true in my own career. Four of the five internships I’ve had, I got my foot in the door because I knew somebody. Sometimes that somebody is family. For example, my first internship was for my uncle's start-up. Sometimes that somebody is a former or current coworker. I got my internship at Certiport because I was highly recommended by my boss for Jane Meets Tanner. And sometimes that somebody is a lily pad to another contact.

It is critical to have a network and at our young age it is critical that we take the time to build one. Because it's those people who will mentor you and connect you and help you get that interview for your dream job.

Hate networking? Stay tuned for my upcoming post Networking for Those Who Hate Networking.

Also stay tuned for the second part of this post Who You Know Isn't Everything.

An Unexpected Adventure in Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the sapphire blue of the water. I love the tall pine trees reaching for the sky. I love the snow-capped mountains in the distance. I love the cool rocks.

This weekend I got a whole new perspective of the lake.

I was at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe on a girls' weekend. I had been to Heavenly Village a few months earlier and didn't really care to shop so my roommate and I hung out on a bench. We had been there for about five minutes when a nice older couple came up to us and offered us two gondola tickets.

And, of course, we said "yes".

So the moral of the story is if someone offers you gondola tickets at Heavenly...you want to take them.

You won't regret it.

Company Kickoff

Last week, I attended my company's annual kickoff in Monterey, CA.

And let me tell you, it was unbelievable.

Kickoff took place at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, right off the ocean. My room had an ocean-view and came with binoculars so I could watch sea otters and seals play in the water. I also had turndown service complete with "mood" music. ;)

The view from my hotel room

I was also well fed. I even had my personal favorite fancy food--filet mignon. But the highlight was the cioppino, an Italian seafood food. With crab, shrimp, scallops, and clams fresh from the ocean, I was one happy chica!

I went on a scavenger hunt through Cannery Row. I jammed at the karaoke night. I won a wine tour--ironic since I don't drink. And to top it all off, I attended a private dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Trust me, that place is way cooler when there are a gazillion kids crowded around the exhibits.

But it wasn't all fun and games. I actually did work while I was there. My company made some very big announcements and I was responsible for monitoring the social media frenzy that followed. It was pretty hectic and fun.

It was an amazing week. I am so grateful for that experience and to my company for letting me participate.