Animation like other commercial entertainment crafts usually requires a collage degree to be
hired by the larger studios.
Animation is a fine thing to get into. Now days we have computers that go along way in
making animation less tedious. As said read up on it and check out the tutorials. You might
email some of the big studios to see what they they look for in a artist.
It's a competive business, but I imagine they are always looking for talented artists.
A suggestion though. Make a few animated gifs, or with flash. It would be good
way to gain some experience. Check the internet for software. Stop motion
animation with puppets can be fun too. Most movie makeing software has an option
to group stills to make an animation.
Best of luck..