After you've had your fill of champagne and Year 2000 memorabilia, it's time to get serious about the future of your career. Here are 10 suggestions that will help you succeed in the dotcom world next year and beyond.

1. Join a professional association such as the Association for Interactive Media or the Internet Professionals Association.

2. Update your resume and highlight web-related skills such as Java and HTML. If it's been a while since you rewrote your resume, you may want to seek professional resume advice from Monster's Resume Expert or by reading a book on resume writing such as Power Resumes by Ron Tepper.

3. Get a "big picture" view of the industry by subscribing to one or more publications including The Industry Standard, Business 2.0, and Red Herring.

4. Learn a new skill this year that you can add to your resume. For example, teach yourself HTML, learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop or check out Macromedia's Dreamweaver. Visit SmartPlanet.com for reasonably priced online courses or take a tutorial at HTML Goodies.

5. Make 20 new professional connections by the summer. If your Rolodex is a little puny, maybe it's time to get out there and network. Be sure to sign up for free social and business events and bring plenty of business cards. Also, if your company doesn't provide you with business cards, consider designing some of your own. Two companies that will help you through this process online are iPrint.com and Liveprint.com.

6. Reconnect with contacts from your past. Track down old colleagues, mentors, and business acquaintances, reintroduce yourself, and send out updated email and contact information if you've moved in the past year or so. If you've been storing away a stack of old, crumpled business cards, maybe it's time to input that information into a personal information manager (PIM) such as Outlook 2000 or Eudora Planner. Or, you could go one step further and get a handheld to help you track your contacts when you're on the go. The Cassio Cassiopeia, 3Com's Palms or the new Handspring Visor are good choices. For help in selecting a product, visit CNET.

7. Learn about competitive salary ranges for your dream job. This is especially important if you are about to enter into a job negotiation or are working with recruiters. Begin with Salary and Compensation Web Sites on Monster, and then take a look at "Tech Career Snapshots" for more detailed information.

8. Don't forget your people skills. Even if you're a programming wiz or Web site design guru, if you don't know how to interview, work with a team, or handle your boss, chances are you won't go far. This year, learn how to network, how to make a good first impression and how to handle difficult situations on the job. Consider investing in a book about etiquette such as The Etiquette Advantage in Business by Peggy and Peter Post.

9. Invest in new technology. The right computer, office equipment or Web connection can boost your productivity and help convey a professional image. For example, if you work at home, voicemail instead of an answering machine will help you to manage your professional and personal calls more easily. Or, if you have a 28.8k modem, a fairly inexpensive upgrade to a 56.6k modem or even DSL can save you time and increase your efficiency.

10. Have fun. Looking for a job and boosting your career is hard work. Don't forget to take time out and enjoy yourself along the way. Make time for friends and family, exercise, hobbies, and life. Remember, all work and no play….Well, you know the rest.