Offers to be Had

Now I have been out networking along with going back to school full time and I have seen some true benefits.  The networking has brought me into contact with people and opportunities that has helped me decide the next path in my life.  Meeting the "right" people has helped to catapult ideas that I had into the forefront and give me the motivation and confidence to pursue a new career and goal.  Networking has been a great experience for me.
 

School has offered many opportunities also.  I have been introduced to new concepts and I have had other concepts reinforced.  This has helped greatly to improve the knowledge base that I have to conduct myself professionally.  With all the great exposure to new ideas that furthering my education has brought me, it has also brought to my attention that most businesses offer substantial student discounts.  Most only require a valid student ID card as proof of studentship in order to receive a discount.  Now if software is something that would greatly improve life, then a virtual gold mine has been uncovered.  For example, when I started my new education, I needed Windows Office 2007 for several projects and the majority of homework assignments.  Through a school associated Website I was able to obtain a student version of Office 2007 Professional for $80.  This software is the same as the retail version except for the price (retail is well over $300)!  I highly recommend contacting the school's IT department to find out what software is available at a student discount price.  Alternatively, this information can sometimes be found on the school's Website.  Another example is the student version of Adobe's Creative Suite 4.  Through Adobe's Website, CS4 can be purchased for $399.  The full retail version of CS4 is $1799 per Adobe's Website.  The only requirement for the Adobe software is a scanned copy of a current student ID that can be uploaded to their Website and then approved by someone at Adobe.  Just these cost savings alone have helped me in my educational process.  Being familiar with both the Office software and the Adobe software will beneficial in the future.

Look for opportunities that may be beneficial and are totally sanctioned by the companies that are producing them.  This will save money and help give exposure to the things and items that will be used every day in a professional career.  Plus, do networking in the community and online to grow that knowledge base.  Working with good people and having the best products will lead to a successful career.