Tips/Advice
Rejection isn't suppose to be taken personally (even though it's hard not to). Usually if your work got rejection it usually means that it didn't fit with the flow of the show, doesn't mean your work is bad, it just means that it doesn't fit in with the rest of the pieces that were submitted.
If you're a student, utilize your professors as much as possible, they have been through the exact same obstacles when it was their time. Soak up as much advice as you can, they are there to do more than teach.
Get involved. Meaning apply to more shows and fairs to be noticed, but even though you may not be in either event still go to shows and fairs to network and communicate. Helps get people to realize you are also an artist and that you're actively involved in the art community.
Nowadays, social media can be your best friend when it comes to putting yourself and your work out there. Before the only way to get exposure as an artist was through shows, catalogs, mailings, and through other people. Social media has made it easier for your work to be seen by many around the world.
Don't be afraid to become more versatile in your techniques, being flexible helps with exposure and skill building as you learn to use different tools, mediums, styles, and techniques. Try to reach as broad of an audience as possible to help increase your exposure, you can always tighten up when your audience gets a grip of what your work is about