Getting a new project can be like being lead down a dark path. Every day I talk to engineers who must have just left their bosses office with the weight of the world on their shoulders. It might be a task like researching a topic that is new to them, working on a path finding project, or being given a goal that is thought un-achievable.
Really all you need is one good contact with a couple minutes to help you get started. I’ve found that the top names in our industry are very down to earth, helpful, and approachable. Don’t be afraid to call someone you don’t know yet, an industry expert is more valuable than all the googling and yahooing you can do in an 8 hour day.