Great first step to learning and investing.Check out BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry.

The RE is a HUGE industry that I am sure is filled with TONS of scammers, fraudsters, and everything in between.

I'd like to practice my art (since I'm already in school for it) and invest in real estate too if at all possible.Since I do not know any successful investors in this industry (yet), I read books from people like Kiyosaki, Robbins, and de Roos.

The reason being, is all the fraud that occurred and as a result in the collapse of the mortgage industry.  

like Bill suggested it is possible with the proper assets and track record but not if your new to the industry

Hello All,My name is Steve and I am a Business Owner and have been in the Real Estate Financing industry for long time.

I am a commercial real estate agent in S Florida and I come across many good deals in multifamily, small strip malls industrial,  many with NNN leases.

Currently working as an associate at a commercial brokerage. Looking to create a profitable career in the real estate business.

Does that sound OK from what others have done in the industry?

I'm wondering what would be a good start for an individual like myself who's new to this industry.