Social connections/networking are part of it, but so is the social/professional/international cachet of having a degree. Many people who express (quite legitima

Social connections/networking are part of it, but so is the social/professional/international cachet of having a degree. Many people who express (quite legitimate) doubt about the value of their degree as an educational experience are oblivious to the numerous filters that get in the way of people who don't have a degree.