Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs by Lauren A. Rivera

Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs by Lauren A. Rivera is an eye-opening look at modern American meritocracy and the ways in which elite students win coveted job opportunities.

In the book, Rivera examines how individual students, networks of parents, and schools catapult their success. Rivera uses the metaphor of “pedigree” to explain how students from certain family, educational, and social backgrounds are better-equipped for the job market.

The author begins her exploration by examining how even the best students are often locked out of opportunities due to their social background. She finds through her research that hiring practices at elite firms tend to favor students from privileged backgrounds. This is not to say that meritocratic hiring practices don't exist—only that there are certain social dynamics in place that propel certain students beyond those who may be better qualified.

From there, Rivera transitions her focus to consider the impact of parental network. She discovers that students who come from connected families can leverage familial connections to both land internships and advanced job roles. These connections often come not only from parents, but also through extended family—cousins, aunts, uncles and so forth.

The critical role of university culture is also an integral part of Rivera’s research. She examines the ways in which university reputation and the expectations it sets into play can be key in landing coveted job roles. Students who attend elite institutions often have access to earlier recruiting that opens the door to both internships and eventual job offers. The connections made at these schools often prove influential throughout the student’s career.

Further, Rivera turns her focus to the power of extracurriculars and the value of community social connections. Through her research, she demonstrates how students are able to parlay their community, even as outsiders, into more exclusive job opportunities.

Throughout the book, Rivera’s research illuminates the reality of how the American education system is structured to reward some students—and punish others. She discusses how the notion of a “level playing field” can often be a myth and how the “rarefied air” of elite positions is closed off to many talented and able individuals.

Rivera's analysis leaves readers with a sober look at the way in which the U.S. job market works. Ultimately, her research paints a discouraging picture of how individual merit and hard work can only take student’s so far. The real advantage, it seems, lies in the power of networks, the advantage of educational pedigree, the access gained through privileged social circles, and ultimately, a playing field that is far from level.