Reserve any “Break in” mentality to use as a possible solution to your keys being locked in your car!

When you are ready to develop professional skill, remain focused on education.  The educational process should focus on job knowledge and skill development.  Your education could include books or web resources, group or private training, or communication with other industry professionals.  Just remember that your goal during any educational process is to learn.

It should go without saying, but I will say it any way: if something sounds “too good to be true,” it just might be.  Be cautious of mixing education with an agency or casting services.  The allure of training with an organization that hires voice actors is natural, just remember that no ethical company can guarantee your success in this field and no ethical company can guarantee that they will get you regular voice over work simply because you paid them for education.
In my 20+ years of experience, education is education, and casting is casting.  The two should not mix.

Colleges and Trade Schools can legitimately offer placement assistance because the individuals they train are joining a profession.  It is easy to certify a welder, and then help that person find a job as a welder.

Voice Over artists are also joining a profession, but the difference is, and this is a big difference, that Voice Over artists are going into business for themselves.  Voice Over work is entrepreneurial.

The most tremendous success stories in our field are often built by those who recognize that voice over is a business, develop job knowledge and skill, keep the educational process solidly focused on learning, and enjoy the process!  David Bourgeois