> There's a conference in your field of work halfway across the country. You'd really like to go, check out the talks and network with a few people. But the pla

> There's a conference in your field of work halfway across the country. You'd really like to go, check out the talks and network with a few people. But the plane ticket will be $500, you'll need to pay for hotels for 3 days, as well as eating out since you won't be cooking. Plus your boss isn't so sure about giving you a week off. If there is a conference in my field and my boss can't plunk down $1000 for me to go, I'd probably pay out of my own pocket to go—and then try to find a new boss at the conference. Besides, if I can't get a few days off for the conference I'll not be able to attend as a robot either, would I?