Seek out local tech conventions. Open source cons, if your an enthusiast, are usually pretty inexpensive and have a broad exposure to companies large and small.

Seek out local tech conventions. Open source cons, if your an enthusiast, are usually pretty inexpensive and have a broad exposure to companies large and small. Another good networking idea is to start going to meetups and the like for tech people. We have a regional one called Tech After 5 that meets in a fairly upscale bar. They hands out nametags so you get names and usually places they work. Talking to really high level people, and just asking them about the state of the industry, general pointers as a new person, and such are great ways to grow your network. Try to meet a couple of new people a week who are in better positions than you are. A cup of coffee landed me more than a couple jobs.