OK, so I'm writing in a 'dead thread' (likely) but for what it's worth: I think your last sentence is the right idea; do the work then find a mentor in a relate

OK, so I'm writing in a 'dead thread' (likely) but for what it's worth: I think your last sentence is the right idea; do the work then find a mentor in a related area as a consequence of that. I really don't like being approached by people who haven't put in any effort yet want to network for the sake of networking.