Join an REI club you can find some there too.

You can join the discussion here.. https://www.biggerpockets.com/... 

And if so, are you considering DIY or joining into a fund?

I have definitely considered joining that team.

As Michael Craven said, listen to every episode of the bigger pocket podcast, join a real estate meet up that is reasonable, read 1 real estate book a week from recommendations on bigger pockets podcasts. 

Ther's a national apartment association advocacy grouphttps://www.naahq.org/advocacyhttps://www.naahq.org/news-publications/democratic-municipal-officials-calls-congress-support-rental-assistancehttps://www.naahq.org/advocacy/action-center/advocacy-365You can also sign petitions and join apartment associations it seems

Talking from online classes (which I believe = $750) to the state exams etc...Trying to simplify things for a few new folks considering joining the industry!

Let me start by saying, I am not currently a note investor, so feel free to discount what I'm about to say, but I hope to join your elite club one day and I've been trying to learn as much as possible over the past few months as I formulate my plans.

Glad you joined the best real estate investing website! 

Join a local real estate investor group and go to meetups in your area to build that list.