Networking is an important part of a technican's career advancement. Local user groups or local sections of spectroscopic societies (such as the Society for Applied Spectroscopy), can provide the technician with contacts that will prove valuable. Meetings of such groups are attended by spectroscopists from local government and industry and can provide an opportunity to find out what other scientists are using AA for in their laboratories.

Use the WWW to identify three major vendors of AA instruments and two major vendors of microwave sample preparation devices.

Technicians are sometimes called upon for advice on the purchase of new AA instrumentation, both for analysis and sample preparation. They must be familiar with WWW searching techniques that allow rapid information gathering. Besides the typical search engines, good search links for manufacturers of both AA and microwave instrumentation include:

• The Analytical Chemistry Sample Preparation and Microwave Chemistry Center at Duquesne University
• Static Directory of Manufacturers/Suppliers (Analyticon Instruments Corporation)
• The Spectroscopy Magazine On-Line Buyer's Guide
• The Analytical Chemistry Springboard at Umea University
• The Laboratory Network Buyer's Guide