Join the American Birding Association. They will send you a members guide with the names of 20,000 birders and a list of the bird clubs in your state. These are arranged by ZIP Code. It should be easy to find someone in your area that would be willing to help a beginner. You can also meet birders by going to popular birding locations.
Many places hold bird festivals each year.
You can meet birders by volunteering for a birding project to help scientists. Remember all the folks that helped you when you first got started. Here are detailed accounts of more than 190 organizations that sponsor over 2,000 expeditions for travelers wishing to combine adventure and personal growth with service to others. Bird Finding Guide Aisle Find dozens of books describing the best spots to find birds in your area.