I don't like neighboring tenants getting too much into my business as it has backfired for me in the past, with a guy thinking he was my volunteer "property manager" and calling me at all hours.

@John Van Uytven I plan to eventually turn real estate investing into a method of passive income that could replace my current income and allow me to do the things that give me joy (family, volunteering, travelling, et al.).

You call people who invest already and you volunteer to work for them for free.  

Coast Guard Veteran, and do volunteer work in the veteran community.

Some of my best connections in REI for this area came from going to those meetings as well as volunteering for the organization whenever they need a hand.

. :)Sorry to hear about the damage, I went through Joplin hours after the tornado and volunteered.A disaster really opens opportunities, but you must be very aware of the emotional toll on property owners and not be seen as a storm chasing vulture.I'd say that a good approach would be to get out there and first volunteer to help without an agenda to profit.

As a college student you could find yourself in an ideal situation being a resident manager in an apartment complex, or a Realtor's assistant, or even just volunteering your time with an investor.It takes most investors quite awhile to earn anything once we get started so be patient.

So far :~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Be involved & successfully close at least 4 – 5 transaction per quarter.Reduce my personal debt by at least 34%.Keep removing negative individuals out of my personal space.Keep moving forward with my plans to purchase multi-family properties.Increase my personal net income by at least 21%Spend at least one week in Florida ( Disney )Work on obtaining broker license and CCIM.Spend one or two days volunteering my time.Read and learn from at least five real estate books per quarter.Work on business plan.Enhance my personal physique.

Tenants volunteered for us to plug into their porch lights, we are still working out the details.One of our tenants in a single family home has a huge light display of the sort that attracts people from miles around to see.

Personally, I'd try to find a successful rehabber in your area and offer to volunteer your time helping with project management or menial on-site tasks -- this way, you get to see the renovations first-hand, and if the rehabber is a good guy, he should be sharing his knowledge with you in return.