Is it wise to shift my career to real estate in current market?

[Cheri Lange]

I live in Houston, Texas, and am a few days away from registering for core classes to obtain my real estate license.  I have a reputable company ready to enhance my training, and a mentor who has agreed to sponsoring me. However, I've had a few in the business tell me it's too late to get into the market -- that the real estate boom has passed and is on the downturn. 

I'm not a spring chicken, so I need to make a wise decision moving forward.  I'm not looking to make it rich, but I want to change careers, preferably to one that can pay my bills.  Any thoughts/comments on the viability of the current and near-future real estate market?  

Feel free to offer any other words of advice for someone like me making a career-move like I'm considering this late in life. 

Thanks!

Cheri