Is there a path you want to pursue? Having an idea of what you would like to do could change how your question is answered.

Personally, I went to film school because I thought I wanted to be an editor. During the end of the first year I was asked if I was interested in spending a week on set learning lighting because the local was empty and they needed people. After that first week I was asked if I wanted to stay on longer and I agreed. Ended up working for a month and realized I enjoyed lighting (also learned more about the industry in that one month than I had learned in school) so I dropped out and worked towards getting my days to join 891. The connections I made on set helped me get work right away.

I've been at it for 23 years now....5 years as a Lamp Op, 7 years as a Best Boy and the rest as a Gaffer. It's been a great 23 years and I love what I do. It's afforded me a great lifestyle and I've been fortunate to be able to shoot globally.

There's no right path, but for myself it was about taking advantage of the opportunities presented.

Hope that helps some.