IBM

Network opportunities are good.

There are many opportunities to get involved.

Technology, even if it's on your own time, was cool to see it work in real time.

Where it went wrong for me was in selling myself. I am in a role as more a consultant than anything else. I have to bid for a position on projects where I am competing with people all across the country, and maybe even the world, for one position.

If you think you qualify for something, the only thing I'd recommend you have for when you apply is a portfolio of your work. I didn't and paid the price.

Everything else, as far as promotions and seeing how effective you are, rides on working on projects through IBM's clients.