Interesting, one of my early assisting jobs was for a wildlife guy, 2 weeks shooting critters in northern labrador. I learned a monster amount and you think that is not of value? True I don't shoot much wild life for cash these days but I know 2 guys whom do in my area. Both often and regularly take one or two assistants with them usually an intern and first assistant. It sure seems like a great way in to me. I am sure that I will be disagreed but that is fine.

I have never seen anyone get any real work with a photo sharing site, maybe some do but I have not seen it. Heck I had a web site but I don't think I got any work from that I don't bother now. I have more than I can manage.

Cameras should be used without thought, change settings on the fly and alter the way it responds all with out needing to fumble and mess with it. Speed and comfort is more useful than lots of stuff learning what you have is better than having lots of gear. Gear head photographers often get so hung up on gear they don't take great images.

Oh last comment, Croposis (the need to crop photographs to 'improve it' is a nervous disorder. The crop tool in photoshop is NOT your friend and should be treated with extreme caution.