emgreen,
I wrote that up with my mind pretty much decided against it. I have been in my current position so long I really have never networked. It sounds like speed dating for professional contacts. It's been a while, but I always did okay in interviews because it isn't awkward; I was there to talk about what I have done in my jobs, their company and their job. I hope it doesn't happen this year, but I will just have to work with the recruiters and answer Indeed.com ads if it does. If you network, you supposedly hear about more jobs and meet people who may be looking to hire. Some jobs never go to recruiters or get posted anywhere. I hope I am the guy who makes it to 2020 (there will probably be only one doing support by then).

I am just having anxiety about the whole situation right now. It (the anxiety) comes and goes. What sucks is there will probably be no warning. That's very common in software; pissing people off and then letting them access your network for a few more days is a bad idea.