@Phoenix Harris great ambition- looking back I wish I would have purchased a house (with the help of lender/cosigner) in my college town, lived in it and rented out the other rooms to my friends. After graduation you can sell or continue to rent out (adding the cost of a property manager to the renters).
Also, I also did not have a degree related to real estate but decided to go to "the school of hard knocks" meaning I worked part time for my landlord (odd jobs around his properties) - he would add up my hours at the EOM and subtract from what I owed him in rent - obviously not a conventional employment opportunity, but it allowed me to learn my way around rentals, spend time with an investor .. and lower my rent!
Hope my experience and insights help ya out - good luck!
