How to prove oneself if company tends to reward Harvard/Princeton/etc graduates rather than performance?

Question

I have been with my current employer for two years and over time noticed a trend (or bias) where recent graduates from top-ranked universities, sometimes with little experience, were hired to higher positions or fast-tracked their way up the organization ladder much more easily.While I understand that many of these graduates were gifted and well-educated, I am sure that many of them weren't necessarily better performers or harder workers than others.There is also a subtle culture of paying more attention to these graduates than experienced people in the company, and I have witnessed on more occasions how the same mistake done by an average university graduate would be less punished if done by a Harvard graduate.I am a bit puzzled by this but my conclusion is that there must be some bias, maybe based on expectations about their future performance and contribution to the company...?However, I truly enjoy the company overall and also my job, so I want to figure out what I can do to stand out among all these Ivy Leaguers. What do they have that I do not have (apart from the degree), and how can I get that or learn that?If my high performance today is not enough, then what do I need to signal to my employers so I also am seen as an equal?

Answer 1

This is a difficult situation; I can empathize with you. I have two family members who worked for the same 'Fortune 500' company, which was known for having a highly "clique-y" marketing department. All of the students who had attended top-tier schools tended to look out for one another. My husband attended an Ivy League school, but he was an "island"- - no one else in the organization had attended that university. My brother was a very charismatic individual who graduated at the top of his class from a local university. Despite their intelligence, interpersonal skills, and on-the-job performance, neither family member was able to shine at this organization. Frustrated as their careers stalled, they left within two years of each other. They now hold senior leadership (VP) positions at other companies.

I wish I could tell you otherwise, but your best hope for success at an organization like this is to work beneath a member of the "in-crowd" who sincerely appreciates your contributions, and to become so valuable to that individual that they bring you along with them as they rise up the ladder. As you can imagine, this is not a particularly enjoyable, rewarding, or secure path.

The reality is that organizational culture is a powerful force, and it is 99.99% likely that you will not be able to change it at your current level. This organization has a culture that values tribalism over merit. So be it. That doesn't mean that you can't meet some exceptional people, learn a great deal, and make strong contributions to the company. There's no need to become bitter: you can be grateful for the opportunity to gain skills and build your resume as you prepare for your next adventure, in a new organization that will recognize your proven talents and abilities. Good luck and best wishes- - here's to your continued success!