6 ms·

Isn't this one of the primary reasons why those particular schools are "elite". Because of the alumni base and "connections" you can make at these schools? It s

Isn't this one of the primary reasons why those particular schools are "elite". Because of the alumni base and "connections" you can make at these schools? It sucks but I feel like most students enter college knowing how this system works and therefore try their darnest to get into one of those elite schools. I went to a school that had career fairs with 50 kids standing in every line waiting for their resumes to be put into a trash pile. Save for 5-10 students who may have gotten professor recommendations it was a complete waste of time. Only now am I getting reached by recruiters from the Big 4. Honestly I can't even fully wrap my head around having that kind of opportunity at 22-23 years old.

gaius 9y ago
The secret of elite colleges is to only admit those who would succeed anyway, then take the credit. In the UK Oxford very heavily favours privately educated students from well-connected families for example.
- noobermin 9y ago
  That sounds more to me like "perpetuating the dominance of existing classes" than "those who would succeed anyway." So much for SV meritocracy.
  - gaius 9y ago
    Indeed, "success" includes "passing the interview by wearing the right school tie" oh and the interviewer's boss plays golf with your father. But Silly Valley is no less nepotistic, it just is more subtle about it.
moftz 9y ago
I went to a major state research university for engineering. During career fairs, the big companies would always have huge lines for hours and the unknown, smaller companies would be doing their best to grab every uninterested kid walking past. The big companies were usually a waste of time to talk to (and waste of time waiting to talk to). They would sort resumes by GPA and pitch the bottom 90%. Then you would still be competing against everyone at every other school in the region. Unless you are just looking to name drop your previous employers, the experience is really what matters. I would usually go right to the smaller companies and be able to have actual discussions with an engineering manager or even a VP. Those companies would almost always call you back and be interested for an actual interview.
- wolco 9y ago
  If you want to one day start a startup you should stay away from big companies, the skills and experience you get at the right startup can make the difference.
  - s73ver_ 9y ago
    If you want to one day start a startup, the huge paycheck you get from the big companies can definitely make that a lot easier.

gaius 9y ago

The secret of elite colleges is to only admit those who would succeed anyway, then take the credit. In the UK Oxford very heavily favours privately educated students from well-connected families for example.

noobermin 9y ago
That sounds more to me like "perpetuating the dominance of existing classes" than "those who would succeed anyway." So much for SV meritocracy.
- gaius 9y ago
  Indeed, "success" includes "passing the interview by wearing the right school tie" oh and the interviewer's boss plays golf with your father. But Silly Valley is no less nepotistic, it just is more subtle about it.

moftz 9y ago

I went to a major state research university for engineering. During career fairs, the big companies would always have huge lines for hours and the unknown, smaller companies would be doing their best to grab every uninterested kid walking past. The big companies were usually a waste of time to talk to (and waste of time waiting to talk to). They would sort resumes by GPA and pitch the bottom 90%. Then you would still be competing against everyone at every other school in the region. Unless you are just looking to name drop your previous employers, the experience is really what matters. I would usually go right to the smaller companies and be able to have actual discussions with an engineering manager or even a VP. Those companies would almost always call you back and be interested for an actual interview.

wolco 9y ago
If you want to one day start a startup you should stay away from big companies, the skills and experience you get at the right startup can make the difference.
- s73ver_ 9y ago
  If you want to one day start a startup, the huge paycheck you get from the big companies can definitely make that a lot easier.