Who believes hard work guarantee's the American dream whether certification/degree or life experience savvy?

Question

I think who you know & how favable your connections are to the prominate people of status is key. Many of us can not gain access by these means based on personal appearance,age,nationality and type of individual!

Answer 1

Most of the time it is who you know not what you know that opens doors. Believe me, I know from experience. It's not impossible to make headway not knowing someone but it is very hard.

Answer 2

First of all, I must say that there is nothing a person can do to guarantee the American dream. Period. You can, however, up your odds of getting that dream. Statistics always show a direct correlation to education vs. money earned. It is a very favorable trend pointing out that not spending money on college will cost you dearly for the rest of your life.

From personal experience, I was working crappy jobs because that's all I was qualified for. Then, I went into the military, got the experience from that, and got an education. I graduated top of my class with a Bachelor's degree. I then scored a job working for the DoD making more than I had ever made previously. I don't believe hard work pays off, I KNOW it does (there is a difference).

As for "who you know" etc, yeah that sucks if somebody gets a job over you just because he "knows" somebody. That happens and there's really very little you can do about it. But those examples are usually the exception, not the rule. However, I would recommend going to school and making as many connections there as you possibly can because you never know when a friend will graduate ahead of you and "put in a good word" for you elsewhere.

As far as things you can do nothing about, do not worry about age and nationality. You can certainly change your appearance to make yourself presentable, and assess what type of individual you are. In an interview, this assessment will come in handy because you will most likely be asked about a bad habit/trait you have. Turn it into a positive aspect because you are turning this behavior around, and you'll be better off in an interview.

In short, worry only about things you can change:
Get an education/certification
Make as many contacts as possible
Prepare for the interviews (research/appearance)
Keep trying!

Answer 3

A certificate or degree usually just gets your foot in the door, but hard work and life experience should pay off in the long run. Hard work is always a good thing but you have to know when to move on. If your employer doesn't recognize and pay you appropriately for your hard work, and you are no longer learning anything new at your current job, it may be time to move on.

Answer 4

I think the answer depends on too many variables to answer definitively. If you're a singer, connections help, but there have been plenty of musicians/singers who have been successful through talent, drive and hard work. Granted, they have to work a lot harder than those talent-less "musicians" who do have connections (or a body), but it is possible as long as the drive is there. Not all fields/industries are like that though. Accomplishment through hard work is so much more fulfilling anyway, don't you think?

Answer 5

Hard work are a start but to really work your way up connections are vital. Connections are fairly easy to attain...it's not necessarily "who you know" but "who you know who knows somebody that knows somebody who knows somebody that knows 'Somebody!!!'" It definitely takes some hard work to "work your connections".

"Working your connections" starts in high school. You need to make a lasting impression (A Good One!) on at least one teacher. And throughout your college years collect at least one teacher connection every year.....these people KNOW PEOPLE. Use them!!!!

Answer 6

I think it's luck rather then hard work