Q: What groups do you recommend joining for networking purposes but also for sharing knowledge with others. My main interests are SAP and Unix.

AW: There are a few options. You could join the Stack Exchange, an expert knowledge-exchange website where you could share your expertise with others. Experts get recognized for their contributions, and recruiters often use the site to look for qualified talent. The site includes an active Unix community, and you could also help create an SAP community. You could also join a local Unix/Linux user group. Such groups are a great networking opportunity, not only opening channels for you but also giving you the chance to help others out. Finally, you should think about attending some SAP conferences. Stay up to date on SAP's latest offerings and get to know some of the vendors and resellers of its products.

Q: I recommended a friend for a job in another area of our IT department, and he's been a bit of a screw-up since he was hired. I take my career seriously, and I hate how this reflects on me. How can I make up for it?