Access to Opportunity Isn't Equal For All - What Can You Do?

A few weeks ago I read an article by Meg Garlinghouse at LinkedIn and it truly resonated with me. I wanted to write this article and share my thoughts upon reading. To read Meg's full article––which I encourage that you do––check out the link at the bottom. Here is an excerpt from the article that I particularly thought was extremely interesting:

"At LinkedIn, we believe that two people with equal talent should have equal access to opportunity. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. 

We’ve all heard that “who you know” matters, and research proves that’s true. More than 70% of professionals get hired at companies where they already have a connection. And on LinkedIn, applicants who are referred to a job by a current employee are nine times more likely to get hired. 

In other words, networks matter a lot. But, like opportunity, they are not distributed equally and are built over time. In fact, there are three key factors that contribute: 

• Where you grow up. A member in a zip code with a median income over $100K is nearly 3x more likely to have a stronger network than a member in a lower-income zip code
• Where you go to school. A member at a top school is nearly 2x more likely to have a strong network
• Where you work. A member who works at a Top Company is almost 2x more likely to have a strong network

We call this difference the network gap. The reality is that where you grow up, where you go to school, and where you work can give you a 12x advantage in gaining access to opportunity."

This excerpt really resonated with me because I know many talented people who are extremely smart, innovative, and exceptional in their skill/craft/passion, yet the only, and main key component they lack is access to network and opportunity. Access to network is like having the master key that opens multiple doors to opportunity; however, without the key, the door will remain shut no matter what you know, what you can do, or how much you desire it to open. For those unable or who experience extreme difficulty in obtaining the "master key", they're told by others to, "break the door down", or, "build your own table", if unable to obtain a seat at the existing––which takes extreme effort. Whereas for some––who may be as equally (or less) talented and skilled––access to the "master key" is obtained simply due to the zip code they were born into or live in, the school either they or their parents attended, or the top company either they or their parents work at. As mentioned above, for some, the master key is much, much more difficult to obtain. Let's take a look:

• Where you grow up: Often times, those that grew up in lower-income, underserved communities, come from families who were historically born into and grew up in the same or similar underserved community. And the same goes for the neighbor next door, the neighbor across the street, and the neighbors elsewhere in the community. More likely than not, individuals in these communities don't have access to a strong network outside of those in their immediate and extended environment that could facilitate access to opportunity. It's likely that many may not even know how to go about gaining access to a network outside of their immediate, and possibly, extended environment. Those that grew up in these types of neighborhoods can't simply connect with the neighbor next door that's a doctor, the neighbor across the street that's a lawyer, or the neighbor around the block that's a successful entrepreneur - all of whom probably has very extensive networks and access to opportunity.
• Where you go to school. Often times, those that grew up in lower-income, underserved communities, come from families who historically either didn't attend a higher learning institution, attended but didn't complete, or if they did attend and graduate, it was likely from a college/university that may not have been nationally ranked or world-renown. The fact of the matter is that students that attend nationally ranked and world-renown colleges/universities, have more and easier access to opportunity simply because of the status the institution holds, the notable alumni connected to the institution, and the well-funded departments of the institution that lends resources many other institutions may not be able to afford. More often than not, the students that attend world-renown colleges/universities, come from families that are already well-to-do and well connected to networks that lend access to opportunity.
• Where you work. Often times, those that grew up in lower-income, underserved communities, come from families who historically worked lower-wage jobs that may not have required any degree or certification above a high school diploma. Their co-workers are likely those who come from the same or similar community and possess similar education and skill sets, thus, they also likely lack a strong network that lends access to opportunity.

I want to stress that the goal of this article and my thoughts are not to pass blame, place pity, or put down those who're fortunate to have access to strong networks and opportunity, the point is to simply raise awareness and encourage those that do have extensive networks, influence, and access to opportunity––on any level––to be conscious of the different levels of access to opportunity (or lack thereof) that many others have and consider the part you can play in fostering the closure of the network gap.

I encourage everyone with any amount of privilege (network, influence, and access to opportunity), myself included, to be an advocate and support those who lack access to network and opportunity. Respond to the person that took time to send a private LinkedIn message. Or challenge yourself that for every person you offer assistance to within your network, you'll also help out someone outside your network. There's power in a strong network and what better feeling than being the connector/facilitator of someone else's opportunity that they wouldn't have otherwise had access to. In a world where we receive numerous no's, be open to facilitating the door opening to someone's "yes"––often times they only need one!

Famous people who have helped others launch their careers:

• After hearing Justin Bieber sing on YouTube, singer, Usher, signed Justin to Island Def Jam Recordings.
• Jane Fonda mentored Meryl Streep, which Meryl attributes much of her success to Jane's guidance.
• Oprah was a key component of the launch of Dr. Phil's success as we know it today. "When you get into Oprah's orbit it doesn't affect your career, it defines your career. I had no desire to be on television before and she made me see the value of it and she made me understand the power of it and without Oprah there would be no ‘Dr. Phil'." - Dr. Phil
• Denzel Washington gave Chadwick Boseman an opportunity by paying for Chadwick's summer theater program while in college. One of Boseman's acting teachers at Howard University reached out to her celebrity connections to ask for scholarship money, and Washington ended up paying for Boseman's program.

To read Meg Garlinghouse's full article beyond the excerpt shared above, click here! Also be sure to follow Meg on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what LinkedIn is doing to close the network gap and create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.