True that on go to a letterhead meet, even if it means travel to another part of the country you will gain so much knowledge that for weeks you be on a high, that all ya want to do is make use of everything thing & every moment.
Another is a Walldog meet another pure energy boost 150 to 200 people show up & paint 15 or so murals in 4 days & do you ever learn plus become lasting friends with so many you will wonder where ya been all your life.
You might also go to a workshop about to learn another great way to get your foot in the door in understanding what it takes & learn some real world basics in advertising signs.
There should be several workshops up your way since there is so many excellent lettering & pinstripers.
I'm putting a workshop on here in October, entry level introduction, but a bit to far for you, but for any Orlando area people you be surprised how much ya learn that relates to advertising in todays world.