Best path to transaction experience without a traditional background?

I studied finance for two years, left university to avoid debt, and moved into commission-only life insurance sales, finishing at the top of my FMO’s leaderboard. I later worked in commercial printing, helping European dealers source and acquire multi-million-dollar equipment in the U.S. I’m now trying to find the best way to gain hands-on transaction experience and learn from people who have executed deals before. I’m open to junior roles and a pay cut if there’s real learning involved. If you were in my position, where would you focus? Thank you.