After speaking with some agents I’m a little confused.

What off-market really means is that the seller refuses to sign an exclusive listing agreement with an agent but tells the agent if they bring them a buyer, they'll payout a commission.

I would look for an experienced agent of my own who understands what is standard for your market.

That's a great way to get introduced to a lot of agents and the new ones all in one place.

Is your goal to use being an agent for your own personal investments or actively try and grow your agent business to eventually leave your W2?

Quote from @V.G Jason: BP agents are gutter material.

Yes, the buyer, not the buyer agent. 

Quote from @Orit Zekol Fux: If you go to the "agents" tab above or to the right of this post you can enter you zip code and pull up agains doing work in that area you want that have most or all of those connections. 

Quote from @Yossi Gamrasni: Hi everyone,I'm an investor looking to connect with experienced real estate agents in the Greater Cleveland area who can help me find properties for long-term rentals.

If I get my sales agent license, I will need a broker sponsor.