Been thinking about how everyone says "networking is key." But is it really? Or is it just a fancy word for being lucky enough to know the right person at the right time who likes you enough to open a door? Most of the "networking" I see is just people reinforcing their existing circles. The real breakthroughs happen when someone *outside* your network takes a chance. It's not about how many hands you shake, it's about whose hand shakes yours back when you least expect it.