There isn’t one secret, effortless recipe for success. But the best path to it can be summarized in one word: connections.

There are many stories of people who used important connections to achieve their goals and dreams. Matthew O. Jackson, a Professor of Economics at Stanford University, is a prime example. 

Jackson was planning to load trucks during a summer as a Chicago University Student. As Jackson explained in a Hidden Brain podcast, it was one of the only jobs that needed no connections. But, undergraduate advisor Hugo Sonnenschein saw this and wanted Jackson to spend his time better. Sonnenschein got Jackson a summer job at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where he realized his passion for economics, eventually becoming a professor of Economics at Stanford. 

“I don’t think I would have gone on to be a professor if I hadn’t gone through that experience,” Jackson said.

Without that connection, Jackson would never have gotten that job opportunity. And without that job, he would never have discovered his love for economics.

People who want opportunities to push their careers or hobbies forward need connections with the right people. 

The best type of person to connect with is someone who is ahead, which means they’re closer to the goal or they’ve already achieved that goal you want. 

For example, if a high schooler was striving to become a doctor, they should try to make connections with a working doctor. The younger the doctor, the better since the doctor can connect better with the student than a doctor 30 years into their career. They would have more similar experiences.

At school, the students who strive to make connections are able to obtain similar opportunities. Many teachers have connections to interesting clubs and unique opportunities such as internships, and have great knowledge of what a student needs to do to succeed. 

Connections with school counselors are also helpful. Counselors know what it takes for a student to get to a certain college, and they often have insight on . 

Getting mentored is also a great connection to have and can provide many opportunities. Through Jackson’s research of social economics, the stats showed that having a mentor or being a mentor is very helpful.

“Participating in these mentorship programs, other kinds of things where you form those connections can really be enriching for everyone involved,” Social Economics Expert, Jackson said.

Mentors, such as tutors or coaches, had goals that they achieved, and are passing that knowledge directly to another person who is trying to achieve that goal.

So, having a mentor is similar to having instructions to achieve a goal. Clear steps are given, explaining what is needed to achieve it. Instead of having to find each step yourself, you have someone to guide you.

It’s normal to struggle to find useful connections.

“It takes some kind of activity or purpose in order to bring people together to have them interact in a meaningful way,” Social Economics Expert, Jackson said.

When an event that interests someone is happening, they should make sure to attend that event, since there are probably professionals there who are perfect to connect with.

Obtaining new connections and gaining opportunities can be hard, but taking the first step in this process is vital. It will definitely be a new experience. Jackson experienced these bumps throughout his career.

“It’s not easy to do. It’s often uncomfortable. Meeting new people and being in strange places you’re not used to,” Jackson said.

But, often after that connection is made and that opportunity is secured, people realize talking to that new person might be the best decision they’ve made in their life.