Loving what is is you're doing is in my opinion the single most important element. If you love to do it, it becomes less about gaining experience and building a portfolio (you'll be doing that anyway as you continue to pursue it) and more about exercising a natural function like eating or breathing. Being able to carry on a lengthy conversation with enthusiasm (inspirations and methods from the past and present, your ideas about the industry's future, how the best in the field do it and why you agree or disagree with their methods) comes from not considering it your job or career but rather a part of you. That starts with love. Best of luck.