Ashley, I think numerous people have directed you to www.themodernapprentice.com (including myself). A lot of the questions you're asking about the process are clearly outlined there.

As far as hawking stories, what got you started, first birds etc., if you'll look through the archives of this forum you'll find numerous day to day accounts of people training their first birds and stories of how people got started.

You have to understand that every "newbie" that jumps on these lists asks those same questions, do a little searching around on NAFEX, the information is there you just have to look. You could spend years reading through the archives of this forum to learn about the sport.

And you're doing the right thing, find a falconer and go do some hawking. Hopefully Tim or one of the other contacts I gave you will invite you out.

Good luck.