How to get started with $120k cash?

[Jason Rowlett]

I am selling a condo I own in California this summer. Out the door I'll receive approx. $100k in proceeds. I want to get started in CRE investing in my local area (Austin, TX) and elsewhere in other states, too (i.e. Florida). I would like to reserve some cash to pay for my CCIM education.

What would a savvy commercial RE investor do if you were starting out with $100k? 

How valuable in the real world is the CCIM for a private investor?

Thanks!