New To Real Estate (Looking For Advice)

[Tyler Clendenen]

Hello Bigger Pockets Community,

I am writing this today with hopes of getting advise and feedback from people who are in the real estate investing and development industry. I am 24 years old living in Northern California and am an Active Duty Coast Guard member. I have just received my bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship and have recently applied to the University of Oregon's MBA program. As of right now I have 9 months left in the military and will be transitioning to being a civilian once again to pursue my goals of becoming a real estate investor and developer. 

My first question for you is: Do you think an MBA is necessary for becoming a REI? Keep in mind that the cost of the program will be covered in full by the GI bill.

Second question: Would my time be better spent finding a job working for a real estate investing company to learn the industry?     

My current plan of action to is to finish my time in the military, move to Eugene Oregon and buy my first investment property, which I will live in and improve. I have saved 20,000 and will likely be financing it through a VA loan or private money loan depending on how the numbers look. I plan on house hacking this property until I am ready for the next deal.

I am very green and want to learn as much as I possibly can regarding real estate. I have read books and forums, attended the BP webinars, and grew up in a family of successful real estate developers. Even so, I still have a lot to learn and am looking for as much help as I can get. Let me know what you think of my situation and if you have any insights or advice it would be much appreciated. 

Respectfully,

Tyler Clendenen