It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know

It's not what you know ...

Stop right there. Not entirely accurate.

I highly recommend you know something!

As the old saying goes, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." You could know every person in the world, but if you don't know s***, you are in trouble. Who and What are equally important. Without the Who, though, you may have a harder time getting to the What.

If Kellen lived in a bubble, he would probably have to hit the internet, then start pulling companies that appealed to him out of thin air, then make some sort of initial contact, then probably send a copy of his resume, then sit back and wait to hear from somebody. And probably wait, and wait, and wait.

Fortunately for Kellen, he does know some people, and I mean these aren't just people, they are GREAT people to know. That means his job hunting is different, different in a really amazing way. As a mom, it absolutely warms my heart to see all of these people making calls, sending emails to wonderful contacts, taking time out of their busy lives to help my little boy. Finding a job is a tough job and not for the feint of heart. Any help along the way: Bonus.

A day in the life of Kellen:

Kellen talks to Uncle Gord about how to go about finding a job.

Uncle Gord says call Cousin Mike; he can talk to you about his job. (same field)

Cousin Mike says call Cousin Joely; she has more contacts in the Minneapolis area.

Cousin Joely says send me your resume.

Cousin Joely receives it, then sends it on to a whole slew of great contacts.

Kellen comes home for spring break.

Kellen talks to Uncle Gord, who suggests he drive to Great Falls and meet with one of Joely's contacts and Gord's good friend, Tom Nelson.

Kellen drives to GF, meets with Gord, then heads over to DADavidson to meet Tom and discuss life at DADavidson, which, by the way, has an office in Minneapolis, where Kellen would like to stay.

Tom welcomes Kellen, discusses life at DADavidson, then sends Kellen off with one of the analysts, as Tom had a meeting. She fills Kellen in on what her job entails, which he thought sounded really interesting, maybe right up his alley, then graciously takes Kellen around the office to meet other people. He already knows two of the people he is being introduced to. 

Tom suggests Kellen get his CFA. Great advice. This can only help in his quest for the perfect job.

On Top of the World

Kellen drives back to Helena, excited, full of confidence, ready to tackle the world.

In the end, this may not lead to a job at DADavidson, and he may not be successful in the next job that he applies for, but it will lead to people that Kellen now knows, a better understanding of the financial world, and the feeling that it is not Kellen versus the World. What a really great team of support.

Kellen's Team of Support at Griz Soccer Camp 1999 (Kellen, Kolby, Tyce)

Gord, Mike, Joely, Tom, Kreg, thanks so much from the bottom of my heart! Cheers.

"Success is falling nine times and getting up ten." ~ Jon Bon Jovi

"That's what I'm talking about." ~ Gordo