[qq66]

I know a lot of extremely well-connected people due to a degree program I was in. I, on the other hand, am not so well-connected except to them.

I found that about 2/3 of them were connected through their parents' achievements, and 1/3 of them did it entirely on their own. They relentlessly go to parties, shamelessly buddy up to the highest-status people at the parties, learn golf and go network at the golf course, etc. etc. Some of these people come from truly humble backgrounds and blue-collar families.

There's no reason you can't do the second.