Building Capital While Young: Two jobs or college?

[Derek Savage]

I am a senior in high school and I am wondering if taking a gap year and working 50-60 hours a week to get some starting capital is something to consider. I am wondering if I should do that or try to get through community college as quickly as possible. 

I already applied to a community college and I am interested in degrees for transfer to San Diego State University. I could get an associates and go back into the workforce, or just get a masters degree. My only concern is that I would have put so much money into a degree that I would have to get a job for much longer to get any capital to start.

In the long run, I would like to be a full time real estate investor, and I don't know which one would get me there quicker and safer. College always is something to fall back on, but I loose out on quite a bit of money in the process. Also, in San Diego all of the homes here require some serious down payments to get started. 

One last option is becoming a realtor. This path seems a big foggy to me, although I am still interested. 

Let me know your thoughts. I am very open minded.

Thanks,

- Derek Savage

[Frank Wong]

If you are trying to be a real estate investor going to college and getting a major in real estate is a complete waste of time and money.   I am all for higher education and increasing your knowledge but how the system is set up today with student loans puts you in a huge disadvantage.  

Example.  You go to college and I don't. You graduate in 4yrs with 100k in debt.  I have 4yrs of working experience and saved 50k and ready to buy my first 4plex.

BTW the #1 requirement of a real estate investor is money.  You can't invest if you ain't got that.