The university experience remains a privileged one, with a minority of the student populace advantaged by nepotism. Defined as the practice of “using your power or influence to get… unfair advantages” for your family and friends, its privileges are associated with entering the job market. Students all aspire to secure a good graduate job, but these opportunities are far more accessible to those who have family members with connections in their desired industry.
Furthermore, for as many internships and other opportunities that universities provide or advertise, these experiences tend to be highly competitive and designed to enrich the hardest-working students. In direct contrast to this is the experience of the “nepo baby”, who is handed these opportunities courtesy of the connections of their family. Not only does this mean they are not subject to the same competitive barriers as their peers, but they take the places of those who may be more deserving of the opportunity.
A classic example of the nepo baby at Newcastle University is Princess Eugenie, a member of the British Royal Family who was allegedly rejected by the university after failing to meet its application standards. Princess Eugenie was later accepted after the university authorities recognised her royal background, and she was granted an opportunity that thousands of fellow rejectees were not.
Whilst this example is unique, students will regularly overhear their peers bragging of their summer banking internships and workplace futures and are left to wonder – what was their route to achieving that?
