Maybe a local dev. group/meetup? I haven't been to one in years...But the one I used to visit (focused on web design AND web dev. which agreed was too broad) h

Maybe a local dev. group/meetup? I haven't been to one in years...But the one I used to visit (focused on web design AND web dev. which agreed was too broad) had often some senior folks, as well as newbies/college students/grads in attendance. Most everyone was very polite and accepting of both seniors and newbies. This of course constrains your search to folks who physically attend these meetups...but at least you can discuss things more easily than electronically, vet them in person, etc. Or, maybe, this question that you posted here on HN you can actually bring up during one of these meetups, and see if others have the same challenge, what advice they can offer? True, not as scalable as a website (or some similar alternative/online group), but at least your name would get known around the locale, and there's the networking opportunities, etc.