What's it like working in the business?
I'm a 22 male that May have the opportunity to work for Marcus and Millichap starting as a junior agent in the 2nd highest producing office in the country.  Already this cost $1000 dollars for a 7 week training program under a senior broker.  Obviously I'm thinking long term gain as I have other options with short term gains. 

How long have you been in the business?  What is your day to day like? How many hours a week are you investing? When did you close your first deal? Yearly salary? Average commission? Any advice is welcome and greatly appreciated as this is a huge decision for me should they extend an offer.  Due to my current living and financial situation this is very stressful.
[{"id": "cjpgvd4", "text": "Hi there... I was in your shoes once, deciding which route to go, who to join, what sector to be in. I have been doing CRE for about 3 years now and I decided to join a boutique retail firm. If you are stressing for money now, I would recommend trying to get in one of the big houses (CBRE, Cassidy, JLL, NGKF, etc.) and start at the bottom-in a researcher position. You will receive a salary ( I think it is around 40k) while you learn the business. Typically, a year and half later-sometimes sooner, you will have the opportunity to join one of the teams as their runner. You will do all the grunt work for the team and earn a small portion of commission, and I believe at this point you are full commission so no more salary. I believe this is the best way to do it, and wish I had done it this way. Now, to be honest, when I started out I spoke with a number of people in the field and a handful of them said do not go to Marcus/Mill. I do not know why. Maybe because it is like you say, paying the 1k for 7 week training? I don't know. I know 2 brokers that work there and are great guys and do pretty well for themselves, so I really not sure why people mentioned that. But, since a couple of them said it, I trusted them... But, make your own decision, see if you can take some of the brokers there out to lunch/coffee. But, a lot of these brokerage firms will teach you for free, since you will not be receiving $, that is what I dealt with. But, if you hustle your ass off, it is possible to make some money in your first year... But, keep in mind that if you are tight on money now, you should not do this unless you are going to have a serving job or something, which a lot of guys in the industry do. \n\nSorry, I am kind of all over, I wrote a portion of it then stepped away for a few minutes. \n\nHere is what I would do:\n\nDo I need a salary, or can I get by on my savings for 6-9 months? If you need a salary, look for a research position at a big house. \n\nIf you do not need a salary: Decide what sector you want to be in-industrial, retail, multi family, etc. and then drive around your town and look at the road signs you see, and call that broker, see if you can get a coffee or lunch to pick their brain. When I decided to do retail, I drove all over the valley, called each brokerage firm and \"interviewed\" with them and then decided on which one I wanted to join. \n\nOnce you join a company, get to know all the active players in your arena, take them to lunch. It really is the good ol boys network, so it is important you are active in the community. \n\nYou are young (not that I am old, I am 30) so I wouldn't worry about long term gain as the money will come... There is a lot of money in CRE, you just have to put in your time and work to reap the benefits. My first year I think I made about 25k, second year about 60k, and right now I'm about 75k. I can't wait for next year because I now have my own book of business and doing more tenant rep stuff, which in retail, is where the money is at.", "replies": [{"id": "cjpjdg6", "text": "Thanks for you input. I was really caught off guard by the fee for training.  Seems ridiculous for a firm as big as them. I just have to do some thinking and decided what's really best for me at the moment.  I suppose Millichap will always be there. \n\n", "replies": [{"id": "cjup6jw", "text": "I'm sure there's a reason for the fee, but I have not heard about that either, and I know people at M&amp;M.  There are plenty of similar brokerage shops out there where you can start out commission-only.  Look at others.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "cjuyda5", "text": "I wish I could likes his more than once! I started as a researcher at CBRE and it gave me market knowledge and insight I would never have had on my own- well, maybe not \"never\", but certainly a better, faster experience with great brokers around for guidance. I just joined a boutique CRE firm as an agent a few weeks ago, after 2 years as a researcher, and I'm already working on 3 deals with clients I met through old CBRE connections. This is an awesome way to start and not starve to death.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "cjvonje", "text": "Agreed. I interned at CBRE after my sophomore year and then interned at Marcus after Junior year. Verrrrrrry different shops. Marcus was much more of a chop shop. \"Here's your desk, here's a phone, good luck!\" sort of situation.\n\nI ended up going into property management rather than research for my first full-time gig at a Top 3-5 shop nationally. I did property management for about 2 years (meeting with brokers the entire time to see if anyone was looking for a junior) and finally got picked up by a team.\n\nNow I am part of a well established team with 3 brokers and 2 assistants. All of us have clearly defined roles and work as a well-oiled machine.\n\nGet ready to hit the phones. A lot.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]