What steps do you need to take if you want to pursue a career in aviation?

The industry is ever-changing and complex. Since it requires such a large investment for a chancy return you'd better really enjoy aviation because of the personal commitment required to be successful. There are three popular paths to an aviation career. 1) Military. Join ROTC in college or, better yet, attend the Naval or Air Force academy with a promise of flight school after graduation. 2) University training. By far the most expensive route, but the training at a certified school (FAR part 141 certification by the FAA) with a good reputation is equal to the military training, except you pay for it. 3) The local airport. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Always expensive, not career oriented (geared to the private hobbiest)but is does allow you to learn over a longer time period than a university program. It's pay-as-you-go. Loans are hard to find unless you're employed. Choices 1 and 2 offer the surest chance of a successful career. I'd suggest step one is to find a university program near you and go check it out. Talk to the instructors and analyze the training program's success rates to see if it's right for you.