Amanda Devion – Is it WHAT you know or WHO you know?

I have heard the saying ‘It’s not what you know, but who you know’ many times throughout my employment career. Until now, after reading this chapter, I have never associated the saying with the term capital. When thinking about it further, I feel that cultural capital and economic capital fall under the ‘what you know’ category. Through attending the leisure activities such as the opera, ballet, art showcases and theatre, individuals acquire specific knowledge associated with upper class citizens (pg. 34). This is also true for obtaining post secondary education, which can be converted to employment advancement (pg. 35). Both cultural and economic capital involves obtaining additional knowledge to assist in ones social mobility. Social capital has to do with using the networks and individual connections one has made to achieve social mobility (pg. 35). In my opinion, this can also be termed ‘who you know’ for social mobility.

Based on my experience, I personally do not see substantial value in cultural capital as it is defined in the text. The fine arts are not of major interest to me. Not to say that I have never gone to a play or the ballet. I have and enjoyed it very much. The thing is I would rather spend my time and money on going camping and connecting with the environment. I may not be art savvy, but if I were stuck in the wilderness, I would know how to stay alive. Tell me, what is more important within society, to stay alive or have experienced the latest Broadway hit?

The idea of personal advancement through social capital is very interesting to me and involves morality to some degree. I personally feel that I should be able to accomplish things for myself. Although, if given the opportunity to make the road to that accomplishment easier because of the people I know, I’d be stupid not to use the connections. Morality comes into play when considering what I have to do to be part of that connection. If the network or individual relationship I have is above board and sincere, count me in. On the other hand, if someone or something is hurt through the process of my advancement, I don’t think I would take the help.

So I ask you again: Is it what you know or whom you know that takes you further in life?

Discussion Question: Have you ever had the opportunity to use social capital for advancement within an employment situation? If so, did you use the connection? Why or why not?