I wouldn't say I really withdraw from social situations...I don't dominate the conversation, that's all. Maybe that's what I'm doing wrong?

And actually, I would venture to say that connections is the only thing that matters. My department is currently hiring a new professor. We'll see if they choose the person more qualified for the job or if they choose the person with connections with the university who really isn't qualified for the job. If it's the latter, my hypothesis would have been unfortunately proven, at least in this case. I know I've had a peer's work chosen over mine SOLELY because of the connection, because my work was superior in every way.