I've been strongly considering a career change towards getting involved in the music industry in some capacity, namely metal or some other form(s) of extreme music. Whether it's in journalism or label management or promotion or engineering at a studio, this is something I want to get my foot in the door of but currently lack experience in. I get that it's a close-knit market that isn't the most lucrative and has its share of nepotism, so I'm not so disillusioned in that regard. What I'm asking the forums is based purely on what you all know through your own experiences and/or that of others about how I might start down one of those aforementioned paths. What formal education is required? If so, what are some reputable schools I should be looking at? Whom and where should I avoid?

I'm not posing these questions in hopes of finding all the answers here, and I understand this isn't the most profound source of expertise as I'm looking for information in other sources as well. Therefore, I'm asking of the moderators to please let this thread stand with that in mind and if this should be moved somewhere else or locked, so be it. If anyone here would be kind enough to lend some basic pointers to help find a step-off point, it would be most appreciated. Thanks, guys.