I can already see you have the social prowess to find opportunities building strong relationships with strangers in powerful positions. I'm probably biased on

I can already see you have the social prowess to find opportunities building strong relationships with strangers in powerful positions. I'm probably biased on this though, because when I was 17, living in the middle of nowhere PA, I started up a website about a band I liked, and by 19, the guy behind the band flew me to New Orleans and was interviewing me for a job working on their web presence. I was very fortunate to have learned that lesson as early as I did, and I didn't even have the benefit of living in an urban environment nor going to a well-recognized college. Not every interaction you seek will happen, but if you don't try or give up, your chances lessen even further. Meeting people is easy - and you'll have an easier time making friends if you weren't snarking so hard.