Hey all, my in game name is Kerrigan:

to get to the point; can someone list all that stuff i need to do to level up in various fields. i.e. shooting bots with light weapons increases your light weapon skill. i need to level up my combat piloting and was just wondering how to do so...

Hi Kerrigan...

In the station, click on the "Missions" tab and select a "Combat Mission."
The mission computer will tell you which bots to fight and how many.
You will be awarded XP points in several catagories as you complete
each step in the mission...

Combat missions will up your combat, light weapons, and heavy weapons experience every 5 kills. Normal kills also up your light weapons or heavy weapons experience.
Trading missions will up your trading experience. Also, if you sell a trade good at a station that doesn't sell that trade good, you are given trade experience.
Prospecting and certain trade guild missions will give you mining experience. Mining a roid without a mission will also give you mining experience.

More info on stuff can be found over here...
http://www.vo-wiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page