Changing career paths - Need advice!

[Joseph D.]

Hey whats going on everyone, thanks for clicking on my post! I have a decision to make on what I should do with my future! I could use some advice, guidance, and opinions on what I should do. This may be a little long but i'm going to explain my current situation. As of recently, within the month I had left my job working in a retail store to pursue a career as a Law enforcement officer working in a Correctional facility. I had received an offer to work at the facility contingent on passing my medical exam. I left my job because I thought 100% that i would pass my medical. Last week i found out that i failed one of the tests and i would need further testing in order to be cleared. Not being cleared has postponed me working in corrections for another 3-4 months. 

While i have been unemployed and waiting to get hired I have had a lot of time to myself and I'm starting to realize that i don't have that same passion to be a corrections officer as i once did a few months ago. I realized that i don't want to be locked in a jail, work holidays, and have forced overtime (16 hour shifts) for only 35k a year. The time I spent being unemployed has helped me to realize this is not what i want to do and i believe that failing my exam was a sign that it wasn't meant for me. 

The last 2 weeks I have been reading a lot about real estate and investing and I realized that Real Estate investing is something i really would love to do. Real Estate is something I've been interest in and i know there's a lot of money to be made in real estate. I have considered becoming a agent and making some money as a agent then investing in rental properties and possibly flipping houses. I'm currently 23 years old living at home with parent and I have no debt and 5k saved. This leads me to believe I'm in the perfect position to start a new career in real estate. I have been really inspired lately to go head first into this new career.

My plan is to become a real estate agent and learn everything I possibly can about the business/market. Eventually when I learn as much as I can I would love to invest in property and flip houses. I have read all over the internet the horror stories of being an agent which is a little intimidating, but I would put my all into this because my other bridges are burned if I decide to do this. Do you think it would be smart for me to start my career as a agent or is there another option that would be better? Do you think I would succeed with this plan?

I have been very undecided lately on what I should do. I would love to hear your advice whether your very experienced or new like me. I could use some guidance and other points of view. Please leave me a comment on what you think. Thank you!