I think you’ll find that the easiest way to get ahead is by performing well in interviews, getting interviews and offers at the right companies (potentially involving getting into and out of the right schools) performing well at those companies, probably switching between firms a bit, and having a bit of luck. I think some things that will help with that are being intelligent, having the right citizenship (or right to work) where the good opportunities are, and being confident and cool under pressure.

I think it is both true and helpful to consider most situations in the world as positive sun (everyone can win) rather than zero sum (my gain is your loss) and this is especially the case in growing tech markets and the growing tech employment market in general.