HBC> = Henry B. Crawford <[log in to unmask]> HBC> Which I exactly why I'm often seen at conferences running around HBC> with students. Once they get there, most of them need some HBC> guidance and orientation from someone who knows the system and HBC> knows enough people. It helps to have a mentor there to conduct HBC> introductions, point out people they need to know, and show them HBC> things about networking that they don't learn in class, HBC> especially if they're new to conference-going. Mentoring is a HBC> confidence building process more than anything else. Yes! I attended an AAM annual meeting way back in 1992, with high hopes. I borrowed my mom's car, drove down to Baltimore, and stayed in the Youth Hostel there. But when it came to the conference, I was lost. Without someone to introduce me to other people, or even just show me around, I was unable to assert myself in any useful way and meet anyone who could help me (or allow me to help them). I _did_ get encouragement from the folks at the Smithsonian table to apply for a couple of positions (both of which I got on the certificate for, and both of which went unfilled, in the end), and I left a couple of other resumes, but that was it. I finally ended up moving to California (where I had people who promised to give me a place to stay and help me find a job). Once there, I spent _months_ writing and calling (visiting, too, when I could) nearly every museum in the Bay Area, and finally had to take a temporary job working with computers, which led to my current position administering computer networks (which I hate -- I'm currently looking for another position, and so far, all the people interested in me are bigger corporations, who can only offer money). So, yes, I agree that mentoring is the key. Unless you happen to be one of those very outgoing people who are comfortable with standing up in a crowd and making themselves known, having someone who can help you with the process is a necessity. Claire +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ C.M. Connelly Senior Systems Analyst/Project Manager >|< Information Technology Services [log in to unmask] California Medical Association +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+