Hey Meg,
First thing for me was meeting the right person who spoke to me about the ups and downs of being an operator. This just solidified my decision to want to become one of the few, the proud, the hardcore. I know, sounds like a Navy commercial, but still, it's cool. Next is to find operators in your area and talk to them. See if you can come on and shadow them as they work and ask questions as they come into your head. They're all great helpful people in a niche sector of this mussed-up industry.
The second most important thing is to take a workshop. I just took the one Jay had mentioned earlier in May and after it was all said and done, I came home with a more internal understanding of what it means to be a Steadicam operator. The more and more I live in that thing, the more I love it. There were 16 of us and one was a woman who, as far as I believe, did very well in this male-dominated field.
The MOST important thing you should do is look in the mirror and ask why do you want to do it. I mean, you have got to be crazy to want to strap 80 lbs. of metal, widgets and volts to your body!!! As long as your intentions are pure of mind & soul and not just in it because you heard you can make a lot of money doing it. Other than that, FUCK SHIT UP!!! Pardon my American. The French have been blamed for so much. The Canadians, too for that matter.
I hope that being a newbie myself, I was able to help point you in the right direction. If not, I'm sorry for letting you guys down. Well, get to it and we'll see you in the Forum. :D