Filmmakers that didn’t go to film school, please share your experience

I’m 18 and for many personal reasons I have decided I don’t want to go about the film industry by going to film school. Right now I’m in a sort of scholarship program in a film school in which I don’t study, I work in post production as an apprentice; sounds weird but it exists in my country (Mexico). I don’t make enough money to pay myself a filmmaking course.

Honestly, I feel veeeery lost, and I think the best way to find my way is by listening to other people’s experiences. How did you start? What are some weird tips you can give me? What are some things I can start doing to start bulk a portfolio?

I’ve thought about starting out by volunteering as an AD or PA, but still I feel like I don’t know enough things to be in a set, so it’s difficult for me to see where I should start out. Also, how can I prepare myself for this? And where do people get this kind of gigs? (unpaid at first of course).

As you can see, I’m lost, and I would really appreciate any tips and tricks. But mostly, I would love to hear about the different paths and ways people have tried before me. I’m just here to learn, so please share!

Thank you :)