Thanks for comments Scroggs.
Just a couple of points:
1. Making contacts: my biggest problem! I post on a few forums and through them I have quite a few contacts (almost all in Australia), but to my knowledge none of them are really that high up - they are keen aviation enthusiasts who like to keep in the know on what's happening in their company/industry.
Not really having any family or friends in the industry nor in "high places" at all, making contacts is probably the most difficult thing of all!
2. Seminars and conferences: I would love to and on a couple of occasions I have applied but they usually frown on a student who can't afford to pay the often substantial registration but who wants to attend... On that matter, is there somewhere (eg: internet site) which lists conferences etc to be held?
3. I already speak fluent french and not bad german. Unfortunetely my thesis is in French which makes submittal to a magazine more difficult. That said, I could always translate it... Do you of any industry magazines who might be interested?
Well I hope you're right about my chances. I wouldn't say I'm outstanding (!), and board positions are something which are so far in the future that I think it is silly to think about or hope for at this stage, even if it were in 20-30 years time!
I anticipate starting to write letters, submit applications etc at the end of next year, with one year left to go at uni. I may well post my progress here then if it is of interest to anyone.