Is it what you know or who you know?

One of the journalism students I got a chance to speak with asked me, "Are journalism careers advanced because of your unique writing style or, like most industries, who you know?

What's you guys take?

 

Combination of both, usually, with more who than what.

 

Agree with that guy ^^^

 

The 'who' might get you in the door, but you'd better show the 'what' once you're in.

 

I think it depends largely on who knows the extent of what you know.

(And the extent to which you can learn.)

 

Every single response so far is spot-on.

 

I'll add this: It's who knows what you know, and is in a position to hire you at the right time.

Cultivate potential who's while augmenting what you know.

 

the only post necessary here.

 

Yeah, I think 21/shockey kind of nailed it. With the further corollary that you often end up knowing "who" because you're able to do "what."

 

Most of the jobs I've had, I had some kind of connection that helped get me in the door. I probably would have been a strong candidate for them anyway, but the connections definitely helped.

It doesn't always work that way, though. My biggest career break by far came in a place where I knew nobody. The boss liked my work and appreciated the fact that my resume was very similar to hers (we were both photogs-turned-producers who had worked in small markets in the northwest.) That jump took me from market 120+ to a top 20 market.

Connections are nice, but they're not everything.

 

I would say it's about 75 percent "who you know"

I know lots of outstanding writers who will never get a shot at a big paper because they don't know how to network.

Obviously you have to deliver when you get there.

 

it's 60 percent who, 30 percent what and 10 percent luck.