We already know social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are all the rage. Professional networking sites like LinkedIn are rapidly catching on as tools to help students find internships and recent college graduates find entry-level jobs by providing a venue where they can connect with professionals in their industry, in addition to classmates, colleagues and friends.

Mark Stevens, founder and CEO of MSCO, has taken the idea of professional networking one step further with Mark Stevens World. Stevens' "mentorums" are for business professionals in the sales, management and marketing arenas, though I imagine all business professionals are welcome to join.

Recently, I asked Stevens a few questions about Mark Stevens World in an effort to help others understand just what it's all about:

CR: How does Mark Stevens World compare to a site like LinkedIn?

Stevens: Mark Stevens World is much more than a networking site. It is a forum for sharing the most powerful force in the world: ideas. And Mark Stevens and the members of our community can tap into a wealth of free information sources, from blogs to podcasts. It is a real world university posing as a social networking site.

CR: What do you hope to achieve by providing professionals with an industry-focused venue for networking?

Stevens: I more than hope, I know, thanks to member feedback, that we help people grow and succeed. Being a catalyst for that growth is immensely rewarding.

CR: How long has your mentorum community existed, and how would you rate its success?

Stevens: We launched the Mentorum in December 2007 and it has been a runaway success, with people the world over telling us it enriches their careers and their lives in general.

One of the many features of MSCO is the list of favorite forum topics. The number one topic, "When did you last click on an Internet ad?" intrigued me so I asked Stevens why he chose that particular topic.

"Because billions of dollars are being directed to Internet advertising on the 'faith' that it works," he replied. "At MSCO, at Mark Stevens World, we like to challenge conventional wisdom to divine truth."

Social and professional networking sites are pretty much here to stay. Mark Stevens World is just the logical next step in their progression.