{"id":34997,"date":"2019-04-15T19:09:57","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T16:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.propertyshark.com\/Real-Estate-Reports\/?p=34997"},"modified":"2026-03-18T16:43:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T14:43:14","slug":"a-real-estate-career-during-college-its-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.propertyshark.com\/Real-Estate-Reports\/a-real-estate-career-during-college-its-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Showing Houses After Class \u2013 Starter Guide for a Real Estate College Job"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Real estate can appear to be a flashy industry, especially in the age of sleek reality TV shows that follow the lives of agents closing high-profile deals for six-figure commissions. But the industry, and especially the role of real estate agent, is one that is often misunderstood \u2013 being an agent is neither about driving luxury cars from one house showing to the other, nor is it about a clich\u00e9 divorcee re-entering the job market with an online degree and no practical skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, real estate might just be the after hours job for a college student, with the potential to get a jump start on a post-university career path. Not only are work hours flexible, but startup costs are fairly low, especially compared to many other businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, with the current popularity of online education, there\u2019s a lot of freedom and flexibility in the timeline of certification, allowing a student to mold the real estate courses to their college workload. In fact, some real estate courses can carry college credits, while certain college degrees make it easier to secure your real estate salesperson license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>Before you commit <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it takes a strong work ethic and great time management to pursue a job in real estate, and in some cases, you may face an age bias, since some customers will be reluctant to work with an agent in their early twenties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, young people have better fluency in social media, and are nearly always online. Both of these traits lend themselves well to the digital marketing skills and quick response time necessary to be a successful real estate agent. Then there\u2019s Gen Z\u2019s desire for homeownership, and the fact that Millennials are currently the largest generation of homebuyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what are the main points to consider before you commit to pursuing your real estate salesperson license?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Expenses related to obtaining your license<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Expenses related to maintaining your license<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Continued educational commitments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Securing a brokerage to work with<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Start-up costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Flexibility in working hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Ebb and flow of income<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Communication and marketing skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Updated awareness of national and local trends in the property market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    After weighing your options, if you concluded that pursuing an agent\u2019s license isn\u2019t for you at this time, there are still other avenues to pursue in real estate with lower time and resource commitments that can also serve as opportunities to pursue your license in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, you can could become a part-time agent\u2019s assistant, leasing agent, referral agent or engage in bird-dogging. None of these roles require licensing to practice, and give you ample opportunity to learn on the job, build a network, and create a personal brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who knows, maybe the couple who you helped to lease an apartment will be excited to look you up a few years later \u2013 after you already have your license \u2013 to help them buy their first home. It\u2019s all about building experience and getting your name out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you do decide that a real estate license during your college years is a good idea, then congratulations! It\u2019s going to take commitment and hard work but will open a world of opportunities down the line. The communication, negotiation, contracting, branding and advocacy skills you will develop will be useful in countless other career pursuits \u2013 real estate-related or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, let\u2019s explore in detail all the steps you need to take to become a successful real estate agent while in college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/span>Getting your license<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In very basic terms, in order to become a licensed real estate salesperson, you must go through real estate education, go through some form of background check, successfully pass a state licensing exam, obtain errors and omissions insurance and sign with a broker or brokerage. Specifics for obtaining a real estate license vary from state to state in a number of aspects, from the amount of pre-licensing education, licensing costs and fees, timelines between education, examination and relicensing, and whether or not you need to be sponsored by a broker prior to licensing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Check out the interactive map below for some of the main licensing requirements in each state:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n