A poor young man born in a coastal outport in Newfoundland grows up and gets a law degree from a prestigious law school while waiting on tables in the cafeteria where his classmates eat. Eventually he becomes a top-notch lawyer and then premier of the province. Which of the following descriptions would sociologists use to describe his upward career path?

A) equal opportunity
B) social mobility
C) social promotion
D) meritocratic mobility

The poor young man's upward career path from waiting tables to becoming a premier of the province suggests social mobility, where an individual moves up the social ladder from their original position. It was not simply just an equal opportunity presented to him, as his socioeconomic background and circumstances were a disadvantage. It was also not social promotion, where someone is given a higher position regardless of their merits or qualifications. Rather, it was likely a combination of his own hard work and educational achievements that allowed for his success, making it a meritocratic mobility.