Thanks for all the advice! I've found reaching out to established va's in my own backyard a wonderful place to start when looking for subcontracting/networking opportunities as well. Instead of directly asking for work as a "newbie" I tried a different approach and offered to provide data mining services for a charity of their choice. I've found this to be a valuable way to build relationships, gain some experience and provide a service for a deserving cause...so far it has been a wonderful experience.

Nan