>>13228767>t. 19 year oldNetworking is important. However if you are not connected to those people closely (family friend, known for 10 years, family), then they will not put their neck on the line for you.
If you are graduating at 20-25 and have to move for study and work, then you simply have not been alive long enough to build connections that close with anyone that will put their neck on the line to get you a job.
They will do good references, or letters of recommendation, but the first filter for getting through hiring process does not involve reading the letters or calling the references. They will barely look at your resume.
Once you work your first few jobs and have established yourself as a reliable worker, probably 25-30 if you graduated at 20-23, then yes, networking and having good connections starts to become more and more important, as many people have the same skills as you.