I know that the person Jim is played a role in my positive impression of this field. She talked often about how she enjoyed her job and loved gong to work each day. I knew I had never felt like that. Her story of going to school and getting her nursing degree had a similar theme to my sister's. I kind of put these three influences together to get a college degree, in a field I had an interest in, and now I love going to work each day.
Determination is the most important characteristic for any job.
Be determined to get in, and then to excel. Additionally learn to learn. Things change so fast in this industry. You must be a good learner. First, do what you love to do.