At the risk of repeating myself: wanting to improve your chances at making a decent living (i.e. being hired, having a place to live, etc.) is not the same as striving to become part of the power apparatus, despite the fact that both benefit from networking.

You are right of course: accessing and leveraging networks of power is not striving to become part of the power apparatus.

It is de facto evidence of being a part of the power apparatus, regardless of your intent in using it.