Bird-dogging internship?

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This summer I'm finally going to take action with real-estate investing.  I plan to do bird-dogging and eventually wholesaling, while building my buyer's list, reputation, hands-on experience, etc.  I also have a decent idea of what I can start with, like finding potential investment properties, going to city hall to find the real owner of the property, seeing if they're willing to sell, open-minded and negotiable, crunching the numbers to see what would be a good deal, etc, etc.

While I was networking with local REI groups, I was offered a marketing internship from a local, successful real-estate investing company, where they will show me how they do their bird-dogging, in exchange for finding leads for them. The company is called Ratna Fehr properties and is owned and run by 3 investors, where I've become well acquainted with one of them.

The internship costs nothing, and both me and them can end the contract with each other at any time.

Now my question is:  should I take the internship and be guided by these investors?  Or should I start bird-dogging on my own, go at my own pace comfortably and take their internship when I think I need the help?

Excited to hear your recommendations!