College Student Just Starting (With Capital)

[Kimani McCarthy]

I am a lot like and nothing like a lot of the other college students I see on here. I am a 22 year old junior moving into my senior year of an engineering degree and I am looking to get started in the real estate realm. My father has encouraged me to jump in and has even offered to give me the downpayment on my first property, but I am not the type of person to do something willy nilly. I have pretty great credit/credit history and my assets/income are tied to a family company. So safe to say I believe I have everything necessary to get into the market from a financial aspect, but I have no clue where to begin. Everyone on the internet said go look at the BiggerPockets podcasts and forums and read real estate books, but I really am a person that desires organization/structure. I am looking to be fully invested into a start up property by the end of the year. Does anyone with success stories have tips as to where to get reliable information or even where to simply begin so that I don't waste a freebie handout that could set me up for financial success?