Q. I want to attend a conference that’s not directly related to my daily work, but it’s more like what I would be doing if I got a promotion. I asked my boss. He has a budget, but declined. Can I still go?

A. Kudos for thinking big picture and the next level in your career! If you want to pay out of pocket, ask your boss if you can go on company time and not take PTO since it is part of professional development.

Other options include perhaps speaking on a panel if it is part of your expertise or volunteering so you can still attend and network without having to pay. Conferences can be well worth your time, not only for the knowledge you’ll learn within sessions, but equally as valuable, in some cases even more, are the meaningful conversations you can have in the hallways, at the dining table, water cooler/coffee queue, etc.

Q. I am an older learner and switched careers. I just earned my degree in marketing. I’ve been looking for a job, but haven’t gotten past the first round. Should I change my strategy?

A. Congrats on this milestone! Three keys to a job search (easier said than done, I know, as it can be frustrating) are persistence, consistency and patience. Since seasonal hiring for the summer is still happening and workers are in demand, you may want to pursue a side hustle to have money coming in the door with a routine/structure to protect your mental health while you’re job searching.

It can also be valuable to gain new skills, new networking contacts and — most importantly — get your foot in the door. You may want to consider the hospitality industry such as hotels for a part-time job so you can demonstrate a work ethic and become an integral team member for when their marketing department has openings.

Once you’re in the door, communicate to your boss that you’d love to speak to someone in marketing to talk about potential opportunities down the road. It’s a win-win — you’ll be a proven commodity who will already learn the culture and hopefully get rave reviews from your boss. So, you can keep your full-time strategy intact, but this additional element can help you.

Best case scenario: your foot is already in the door for full-time employment at the same employer. Another scenario is that you land a full-time job somewhere else and need to leave your part-time gig. It’s all good!

Vicki Salemi is a career expert, former corporate recruiter, author, consultant, speaker, and career coach. Send your questions to hello@vickisalemi.com. For more information visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @vickisalemi./Tribune News Service