Working in the Real Estate industry before investing

[John Neff]

I am curious as to what your Real Estate journey has looked like. I am unsure of what my best route may be, and would love to gain some clarity through your experiences. 

I am 21 years old, and have worked in the trades for the last four years. I am currently earning roughly $60,000 annually, with very few expenses. If I continue down this path, I will be able to buy my first investment property sometime this year. 

I am also heavily considering pursuing a career somewhere in the Real Estate realm, in order to grow from on the job training. I would imagine that working under a current investor would be a fantastic learning opportunity, but may reduce my income significantly, which could make purchasing my first investment more difficult. 

If you were, (or have been) in my position, what might be my most strategic move? 

Thank you for any insight you're willing to share!