I would spend time educating yourself on the ins and outs of the industry, and networking with other professionals to learn before acquiring your first property.

Glad to hear you will be attending the RIREIG meetings, they are an invaluable resource here in RI and a great way to make contacts with like minded people in this industry. 

They are a wealth of knowledge and industry experience. 

I'm hoping to hear back from the few companies I reached out to, but want to expand my options of starting in the real estate industry.

We always bring the industry with us.

There are also many workshops you can attend for more information as well https://paii.wildapricot.org/Industry-Events

One of our main industries is of course real estate (personal investing, real estate development companies, as well as construction). 

Conversion rateThe business of "qualified leads" is a seemingly inexpensive industry for the investor that grows into a 5 digit pride issue trying to chase "qualified sellers".No seller is qualified until you have spoken with them, you have "interviewed" them, and you have decided if you can solve their problem. 

I am interested in real estate investment and how this process works, I have worked in sales for over 12 years in the housing industry, I have worked at Fergusons, Home Depot, Lowes, and Sears.

I am a 20 year old from Massachusetts, new but definitely thrilled to finally be able to make time for something I've always wanted to do, learn the real estate industry.