‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’
I have just been reading an article on ‘Connected’ and although I understand being connected through one person to another, I also agree with him when he states that there is a group of people that are influenced by other people’s choices, and less likely to make decisions for themselves independently. Personally if a friend of mine has a friend that I don’t know about, I won’t associate myself with that connection because I don’t know that person at all to call them a friend, unless I decide to build a friendship with the friend of a friend. In terms of making decisions, since leaving care I developed into a very headstrong person, and If and when I know what I want I go out and get it, and if there are any obstacles to overcome then I will whatever the situation. Professional connections are very important to me as I hear that saying ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ so in terms of the leaving care ‘system’ I know people from social workers, support workers, their manager and their managers, as they deal with requests or situations that I have been involved with, and I have also had conversations at awards that I have been nominated for. So I understand the importance of building networks, so I know who to go to for what whatever reason.
I like that way he describes people coming together in the form of the bucket brigade, it involves a number of people running to and from the house with a bucket of water with some people getting lost on the way, tired, or spilling water but it is all about the way it is organised. It is more effective in a straight line with people passing down the bucket without spilling water, getting tires or getting lost to and from the house.
During my time at university I have made some great friends, and won’t forget the tutors that have rooted for me when I came back after failing my first year. I don’t see this as a failure, it shows the determination and motivation I had to not only do this for myself, my mum sue but also to the naysayers out there.