For the hands-on stuff you describe, it’s really just about making good impressions, being around others in the industry. Networking, basically. Film school and PA training is mostly useful for putting you in that environment. So as long as you make friends (that you keep in touch with) and keep a strong work ethic, it shouldn’t be too hard to get below-the-line experience and become employable (union) in that sense. You don’t even have to finish college if that’s all you’re aiming for. Depending on where you live, there will be FB groups, festivals, or other general meet-ups where you can socialize with the people that can get you in.
You’ll probably start as a PA, but then it’s up to you to get in good with a department you want to work in - sets, wardrobe, electric, grip, etc. College can give you more specific internship opportunities at studios, a lot of which can range from office stuff to equipment management.
That being said, it’s definitely a hustle, and the ideal “getting a job out of school” thing won’t mean the same thing as it does in other industries. Film/TV is seasonal work, and you’ll have to be looking for the next gig and the next and the next* until you’ve established yourself within the local industry and built relationships that will get you called, maybe to even those more important, higher up jobs. Upward mobility isn’t really a thing without relationships with the right people.
Pre/post-production work and other above-the-line stuff is less easy to get, and a lot of luck. But it’s a little more traditional. I think there’s more initiative to do things yourself here - write scripts, direct your own shorts, compile a portfolio, etc. And then submitting those to agents, post-houses, festivals, studios, production companies, etc. College learning is more useful here; that’s where you’ll learn technical craft and industry standard practices - but even that can be learned at home. The degree/certification itself won’t be more important than what you can show, but if the program is good or you did work hard throughout, you should come out with a portfolio. Just remember, that’s still not a guarantee of employment.
*(depending on your path, working at a studio has a little more permanence than crew-work but it’s not necessarily production work)
Wow this was amazing thank you both for taking the time to give me really solid responses. I know I can always count on OT.com users. As far as the “getting a job right after school” thing, it’s really not that important to me. I’ve just been feeling anxious lately now that I’ve had so much down time. All of your advice is really great and I think you are spot on in terms of finding good connections/portfolio/work ethic ect. Taking a leap of faith here, I’ll keep in touch. Thanks.
-Luke