Freqlord,
If you don't want to jump into it all at once try the summer Gunsmith classes sponsored through NRA. You can find out if you like and want to do it full time before giving up your day job.
http://www.nragunsmithing.com/
I have taken classes the last three summers at Montogemerry Community College and they were great. Highly recomend them, no experience with any of the others, so I cannot say one way or the other.
Tom