Working as RE Agent: Helpful in Buy & Hold Investing?

[Justin Koopmans]

So, I don't want to be "that guy," i.e. the newbie who asks, like every other newbie, whether or not I should get my real estate license. I've read through TONS of forums and articles on BiggerPockets and elsewhere that address that question, and so I think I understand the pros and cons of simply holding a license to help in facilitating your own deals. But my question is a bit different from anything that I've been able to find:

What would actually WORKING as a RE Agent teach me that would help me in starting out in my buy and hold investing business?

I honestly don't want to work as an agent for my career over the long haul. I'm just trying to decide if investing a year's worth of time or so in actually doing the work, being in the thick and thin of the RE world (while also providing an income), would be worth the knowledge gained for my investing future...???

I'd love to hear from those in this forum that are both agents and buy and hold investors, but obviously, I'd love insight from anyone and everyone willing to comment! Thanks!