College debt? Real estate agent vs. Financial planner?

[Jared Coffman]

I am currently 19 years old with a huge interest in real estate investing for my future. I have considered potentially being a financial planner for my earned income. I feel that these two go hand in hand because I will need to understand financial literacy in order to make calculated risks in my investments. There is also something in the back of my head that I am not starting soon enough and I am accumulating too much debt in the process of getting a Finance degree. Me and my best friend are actually living together and he is feeling the same way and has considered dropping out to become a real estate agent. Both of these jobs are based on commission and how good I can be at sales. Both jobs will require me to have exceptional communication skills and a network of clients. Do I wait it out and get a degree to make a higher salary and have debt? Or do I become an agent, understand the market, and stop my debt from growing? My biggest fear is looking back in five years saying I made the wrong decision. 

[Barry Pekin]

@Jared Coffman,

There's some good advice above.

But seriously...  Starting too late at 19 years old????  If I could go waaaaaaaaaay back to 19 year-old me, I wouldn't be bummed that I couldn't go back to 17 year-old me.  You're making great decisions for your future.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  The fact that you're doing it is awesome!

Good luck!