Regarding the luck factor of knowledge, you must possess distinct benefit. The great majority of people drift along and generally not informed that their knowledge is restricted and that whatever knowledge they possess is becoming obsolete with each passing day. Many of them spend their time socializing at work and at home, many spend their own on irrelevant things like watching TV and generally living as easy a life as possible.
However, the Small but the enlightened minority, like yourself who actualize or realize that we're into race for practical or useful knowledge, have the winning abilities edge of them. You're already ahead of the pack due to you are aware of what you need to do to forge ahead or to move to the peak of your profession.
Thanks.
You gotta be careful when using "practical" knowledge as a matter of superiority over others. Ofc practical knowledge is important but some people just learn stuff because they love learning. Einstein didn't developed his General Theory of Relativity so one day he could make the GPS. It was not about being useful, its about curiosity, salvation and doing what you love.
As Elon Musk said it cannot always be about solving problems. There needs to be a reason to do so. May it be salvation or survival.