In which industries does who you know actually not matter?
In the US, it’s pretty well known that the highest-paying careers tend to be dominated by people with strong personal and professional networks. Tech, finance, and law all seem heavily skewed toward people who had the right connections, mentors, or introductions early on.
In tech, people like to say that anyone can break in based on skill alone, but when you look at the most senior or highest-paid roles, many of those employees got there through referrals, elite social circles, or long-standing industry relationships. Finance feels even more rigid, breaking into investment banking, private equity, or hedge funds without knowing the right people seems extremely difficult. Law appears similar, with many top lawyers and judges advancing through tightly connected professional networks.
Entrepreneurship is often brought up as an exception, but if you look at the most successful, high-growth startups (especially in tech), founders frequently benefit from access to investors, VCs, …So I’m curious: which industries actually allow people to achieve high levels of success without relying heavily on personal connections or insider networks?
My guesses would be things like medicine (where licensing and standardized training matter more than who you know), traditional entrepreneurship (manufacturing, logistics, trades, etc.), and entertainment, especially content creation where raw talent can sometimes outweigh connections, but I’m sure I’m missing a lot.
Would be really interested to hear from people who know, or who work in these industries.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, the importance of "who you know" varies significantly across industries, but there are a few where personal connections may play a less dominant role compared to skill, credentials, or raw talent:
Medicine: As you mentioned, medicine is heavily reliant on standardized training, licensing, and board certifications. While networking can help with securing competitive residencies or research opportunities, the path to becoming a doctor is largely meritocratic, based on academic performance and test scores.
Trades and Skilled Labor: Fields like plumbing, electrical work, and construction often prioritize certifications, apprenticeships, and hands-on experience over personal connections. Success here is more about skill, reliability, and reputation built through work rather than networking.
Content Creation and Entertainment: While connections can help in traditional entertainment (e.g., Hollywood), platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch have democratized access. Raw talent, creativity, and consistency can lead to success without needing insider networks.
Traditional Entrepreneurship: In industries like manufacturing, logistics, or small-scale retail, success often depends on operational efficiency, market understanding, and customer service rather than elite networks. However, scaling a business to a high-growth level may still require connections to investors or industry leaders.
STEM Research and Academia: While networking can help with collaborations or funding, success in research and academia is often tied to publishing impactful work, securing grants, and demonstrating expertise in a specific field.
Government and Public Sector Roles: Many government jobs, especially at entry and mid-levels, are filled through standardized exams, applications, and merit-based processes. Networking may play a role at higher levels, but the system is designed to be more accessible.
While these industries may rely less on personal connections, it's important to note that networking can still provide advantages in almost any field, especially for career progression or accessing unique opportunities.
Sources: Networking is over-rated/not-need for finding corporate jobs. My experience!, AM I MISSING SOMETHING?, The Path to Least Resistance: Why IB May Not Be What You Really Want, Don't Throw Away Your Shot - Networking with Senior Professionals as an MBA, The Work Always Gets Done
If you are good at trading it does not matter where you start. Just make more each year than you did the last and you will climb the ladder.
It matters in every industry -- if you're going to move up the ladder internally, win business externally, etc. you will eventually need somebody to go to bat for you. The good news is "who you know" isn't static based on your connections when you're 21 years old. The best way to build a network and be in a good position is just to show up, give a shit, and do good work. Clients, old colleagues, etc. will eventually disperse, but everybody would always rather work with somebody they know firsthand is good.
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