Competitions can be a good way to start - it helps you build up your confidence submitting your work and getting a good selection of work together. Art Deadlines is a US based site that's good (subscription, but it's cheap). Also look at art magazines for ads - here I'm not sure what the top artists' magazines are in the US but there must be some! I think The Artist is a big one? Look for galleries asking for submissions, group shows, competitions, etc.
For galleries your best approach is to go visit a lot of them, see if you can picture your work there - does it fit their styles? the price ranges? Does it look like they show emerging artists? Once you choose galleries to talk to ask them how to send them some details about you. Remember that gallery owners aren't making personal judgements about you as a person and are just trying to choose work they think will sell - so if you get a no keep trying!
Do you have a studio? I've found most of my networking has been through the other artists in my studio group and the gallery owner who rents out the studios. He always passes on information to us about other places, so keep in touch with your galleries once you make a connection. Talk to other artists and share info you get too. For instance, I work next to 3 ceramicists. They have visited galleries that they thought would be good for my paintings and likewise I have seen galleries that didn't take paintings but had some excellent ceramics exhibitions. Share both ways.
If you don't have a studio try and find local art societies to join.
And is the UIUC in your email U of I Urbana? Just wondering, it's my alma matter!
