There is a middle ground I would hope, and you do appear to be in it. Apologies about the tone, but getting screwed out of opportunities by (supremely obvious, to the point I suspect less obvious ones in other cases) 'old boy' connections is infuriating. Especially when I actually like the people benefiting from it, and none of them actually like participating in it. So I'm taking my anger out on anonymous people on the internet while I still have no empathy for them...
Perhaps it's a definition problem. When I say 'old boys club' I'm thinking of those groups of powerful people who scratch each others backs for jobs. People who promote based off of networking rather than qualifications, and who often discriminate against many other groups, often not promoting them in favour of under-qualified people who are part of the network.
I'm not saying tell them they are stupid or anything. But perhaps stop participating in their group?
Perhaps it's a definition problem. When I say 'old boys club' I'm thinking of those groups of powerful people who scratch each others backs for jobs. People who promote based off of networking rather than qualifications, and who often discriminate against many other groups, often not promoting them in favour of under-qualified people who are part of the network.
I'm not saying tell them they are stupid or anything. But perhaps stop participating in their group?