Advice on Education for a Future Career in CRE
I am currently in high school and I am making decisions regarding college. I want to be a Commercial Real Estate Agent and eventually to establish a brokerage of my own someday. I am wondering whether or not I should go to a 4-year university, go to a community college or just not go to college and start working straight away. I have had some conflicting information online and some have said to skip college all together and other sources have said that college is important. I really don't know what to do now and I don't want to spend thousands on a degree I don't want if I don't need it.
[{"id": "fkmwr40", "text": "That's completely up to you truthfully. You can get your real estate license now at 18 and jump right into real estate. You need to find a broker who will be willing to show you the ropes and provide resources for you to be successful. That's the most important thing. You'll get so much further quicker with a mentor who's already successful in the business. That being said, college at a university is amazing for the experience and the people you will meet. Like you, I wanted to do real estate since I was a kid. However, I didn't have any guidance to let me know that I could start at 18 and I hurried off to college to get out of my town. I went to a 4 year university and got a degree in something I currently don't use. The experience was amazing but at times I regret having the student loans lol. College is only worth it if you plan to use that degree. If you want to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer,  etc go to college because that's the only way to get there. Many other fields of study can be obtained without college. There are also trade schools. I believe community college is a waste because you don't get the same experience you would at a university unless you plan to transfer to one after 2 years. Still a 4 year university is better. College is like a better high school without parents being around so you really get to grow into your own person and learn more about life. It's not needed to become successful though especially if you plan to be an entrepreneur. Keep in mind that if you go directly to real estate it could be a while before you make money so plan things out. You could also go to college and do real estate at the same time in which you get the best of both worlds. Learn how to become a hedge fund manager that invests in real estate, owns a brokerage, e.t.c. Start learning everything you can now from books and YouTube university. Sky is the limit. Good Luck!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fkn42iw", "text": "For the love of god man go to college. Every single top Brockerage firm (CBRE, JLL, C&amp;W,, Colliers) everyone has 4 year college degrees (It\u2019s required at that level) and is well educated. It\u2019s competitive as fuck, cutthroat, and over 90% dropout after their first year. This is a reality check. No sophisticated high net worth client wants someone representing them without an education. Get your education period and don\u2019t fall for the pipe dream of being a successful entrepreneur with no degree unless you just want to buy rental properties and not do commercial Brockerage. That is incredibly hard to do and commercial is way more sophisticated than residential and pretty much everyone in the game in the big leagues has a college degree. Go to an urban land Institute meeting and talk to people working in Brockerage. You will get a lot better advice than being on an online forum.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fknhfby", "text": "It is not about the degree, it is about connections. Being a broker is knowing people, knowing people is trusting people, and people trust people like themselves. \n\nDo yourself a favor, find the top 20 real estate people in your area. Look at their bio online. Write down what they have in common, and try to copy that. \n\nYou can skip college sure but unless you already have an in at some company, why would they hire you?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fkns84g", "text": "No one but you can make that choice.\nCollege is great to gain knowledge, but not necessarily always needed. \nTrade jobs are taught on the job, then you go to school to better yourself, which betters your business and then your life. \nApply for college part time, get your generals out of the way, while working part time for a company that\u2019s in the industry, any position. That allows your foot in door and unlimited access to ask questions. Stay motivated, always look at the bright side. Don\u2019t give up, and you got this! \n\nMaybe one day you\u2019ll have a deal I want to invest in.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fkqko9s", "text": "It depends on your family's financial situation.  If you can afford college, go to one with a good business school, doesn't need to be ranked at all.  \n\n\nAlso consider that it's hard for young guys to get clients.  In the beginning of your career, your top priority is to generate new business.  And prospects are very selective.  It's hard for a 20 year old, no matter how polished, to pitch a 45 year old.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]