For the syndication, you could recruit capital into a fund (or place your own) then purchase one asset with the money from the fund.

Then, I went out and interviewed active property managers to have some to recruit when I'm ready to hire them.

I am a contract worker with a W2 from a recruiting agency and I work out of state for 3 months at a time.

Without that--you are just a spectator.You also need a job that is steady for at least 2 years, and pays enough to save the money, and qualify for a loan.Will a loan officer laugh at your application if you earn minimum wage--maybe.Would going to school get you a better paying job--maybe--So with down payment money, (20% or 3.5% for some things), and the ability to get a bank to loan you money...credit history good (vs fouled up), and your financial ratios of borrowing to income in order, as well as adequate income as dictated by the lender,and at least 2 years stable employment--and you know what you are doing when you buy and rent out...you could make it.You need enough money to play the game--focus on getting that and learning this business and you will give yourself a chance.If you join the military and save 100% of what you earn, you could get a 2% down VA loan when you get out to start out--maybe look into that--but do not believe anything the recruiters tell you--check it out on your own--you need cash in the bank to be a landlord.Good Luck! 

For example would I be allowed to go on the show and recruit bird dogs?

I didn't have to worry about some investor of mine that I recruited for funding and then later that person wants OUT of the funding.

Introduce yourself and ask to speak with their nursing recruiter.

My own view: the answer is in the linkedin/zip recruiter/monster.com Find city/metro that has largest number of engineer job opening per square miles.So you'll find:San Jose,CA ; Burlingame,Ca ; San Francisco,CA ; San Diego,CA ; Austin,TX ; Raleigh,NC ; Boston,MA, Seattle,WA and maybe even Huntsville,AL.Go follow the trail of money........and split the bet accordingly to those cities.

  - Talk with her recruiter about speaking with the lender or providing something in writing showing an outlook for future income and job stability. 

I remember when I first opened my brokerage and I did a recruiting event.