Is there anything in all the Mongoose books like the old specialist assignments from CT Mercenary -- things like Intelligence School, Command College, Staff College, or Commando School?
The "Connections" rule helps make events more interesting, at least in theory. Make up a story for that event that involves one of your fellow travellers, and you both get a skill-up. If you can make it tie in to another player's event at the same time, all the better.
(Disclaimer: I haven't actually played through this yet, my game starts next month).