Paul - It is great you have this focus from such a young age. If you continue to work towards your real estate goals then you will probably be one step ahead of most investors. However, the reality is that there is no free lunch in this country (for the vast majority).
You need investment capital. There are no short cuts here. Maybe you can convince a private investor to loan you funds, but more than likely you are going to have to suck it up for a few years - work for The Man, live VERY frugally, and save every penny; all the while staying focused on your goals, reading, attending local RE investment meetings, watching and learning your local market, looking at houses, etc.
Manage your credit carefully. Pay credit card bills on time and in full. If you don't have a line of credit, get one. Start building a credit history, and do not miss a payment. Good credit will be one of your most important tools down the road.
When the time comes, and you have adequate capital saved, you'll be ready to buy a place - maybe a place of your own to turn into a rental two years later, and you'll find that the ball will be off and rolling.
My best advice to you would be to work all the hours you possibly can. Get a job in sales - these skills will help you down the road - try to find work in the housing industry - get paid for work that will help you in your investing down the road - but get work, save and stop dreaming that someone is going to do it for you. Live frugally, and the money will come and you can start investing.
