How do you get a foot in the door?

Hello my fellow game devs! I have a question for someone more experienced than myself. How do you go about getting your foot in the door of working in the game development field? I would consider myself an intermediate programmer. But how do I even try to go into working in this field??? Do I need to go to college? Do I need to know the right people?? As some one fresh out of high school I would appreciate any help!!