[robyates]

In each case I can perfectly well understand why I was passed over: I screwed something up, whether an algorithm on the whiteboard or incorrectly describing a certain data structure.

Most people move to Silicon Valley because they get positions at large companies that have budgets to fly them out. What many college students don't realize is that are many small startups struggling to hire people. They just aren't well known or have the resources to fly people from far away so they hire friends, students and engineers nearby.

If you really want to work in Silicon Valley, I'd say don't wait. Pay for you own plane ticket and spend a week or so in the area. Your perspective will definitely change.

[saryant]

I think I'm going to do exactly that. Spring Break is coming up, I've got no other plans and I'm sitting on a bunch of airline miles that could get me to SF for free, plus I've got friends in the area I could probably crash with.

Any tips on networking there? I grew up in the Bay so I know my way around but I have no idea where to start meeting people.

[robyates]

There's HackersAndFounders.com, HackerDojo.com and a few others. Haven't been to that many events actually. I know a lot of startups coming out of Stanford though. Feel free to email me (contact info's in my profile) and I can put in you touch if you want.