Counterpoint.
I grew up as an Army brat with a lot of siblings so I have few long term older relationships. I worked my way into tech by way of ITT tech and landing a helpdesk job after a couple months of unemployment. It was low pay, but better then the warehouse and data entry jobs I did before (circa 2000).
I've changed jobs every 3 or 4 years; going from helpdesk, to PC tech, to Network Analyst, to System Admin, and finally to Linux Administration. I've been doing Linux for the last 10 years.
I have landed every job through public job listings. I've maintained some contact with previous colleagues, but never had any real job opportunism pushed my way.
I'm sure their good recommendations have helped, and I believe I interview well.
Just putting this out there for people who have smaller social networks or feel shut out.
Similar. End of 2008. Decided I didn’t want to do back-breaking work anymore. Always loved and used Linux and decided I must be a NOC tech in a datacenter. Got onto SLUG (Tampa) irc, found out about a local hosting company that owned a DC, relentlessly called/harassed the NOC Manager until he let me intern/work for free. Been in tech ever since.
I have landed every job through public job listings. I've maintained some contact with previous colleagues, but never had any real job opportunism pushed my way. I'm sure their good recommendations have helped, and I believe I interview well.
Just putting this out there for people who have smaller social networks or feel shut out.