How to enter this industry

I’m going to graduate with my associates and drafting technology next summer and MEP drafting/designing was something that I was interested in. Does anybody have any tips as to how to enter this field with just an associates? I’m planning to make a portfolio as well before I graduate, but I just don’t know how to put myself out there or where to start.

Also wanted to ask what types of roles could I get into, what I possibly could be doing in these roles and what would the pay be like starting out? I’m in Georgia so if anyone is able to give me area-specific advice that would be really cool too!