How to prepare myself as an investor

[Charlie Lehoux]

I am a 20 year old student currently at the University of New Hampshire who just recently sparked a large interest in real estate investing, especially in rental and multi-family homes. My question relates to how i might go about educating myself using resources other than a book or website(book recommendations would be greatly appreciated as well)? What are the best ways to get hands on learning in the real estate industry? Does it come from talking and networking with local realtors and other investors, shadowing or working in an investment firm? What were some of the ways you got started in the industry that involved hands on learning?