&gt; There&#x27;s a conference in your field of work halfway across the country. You&#x27;d really like to go, check out the talks and network with a few people. But the plane ticket will be $500, you&#x27;ll need to pay for hotels for 3 days, as well as eating out since you won&#x27;t be cooking. Plus your boss isn&#x27;t so sure about giving you a week off.<p>If there is a conference in my field and my boss can&#x27;t plunk down $1000 for me to go, I&#x27;d probably pay out of my own pocket to go—and then try to find a new boss at the conference.<p>Besides, if I can&#x27;t get a few days off for the conference I&#x27;ll not be able to attend as a robot either, would I?