Therein components are education, significant financial resources and good understanding of how to determine the highest and best use of a property and then maximize it. 

First of all I would like to say that your approach of taking a job as a real estate assistant is a fantastic idea to maximize your time, it is something that definitely wish I would’ve thought of when I was taking my pre licensing course.

Can anyone provide insight on what to expect and how to maximize my chance of success here?

What you've got to do is adjust expectations and make the decisions now that maximize your benefit.  

Love to talk RE, always want to grow my contacts where I invest, happy to share my knowledge, and want to maximize my value from every visit!

There is some sophisticated planning that can be done to maximize the step up and accomplish your goals.

So now we have it, a nation of batteries whose sole mission in life is to make money for other people, and that's why rent control legislation and other measure to curb the greed and cupidity of landlords who can't help themselves from "maximizing their income per tenant" are going in everywhere.

(not that you will ever have to evict someone, but it is a must to know to maximize your success as a landlord.)  

To maximize investment success those needs mentioned need to be fulfilled outside the investing arena.

I'm also open to pledging my liquid assets to access more credit (non-callable).I'm okay with some rental unit managemnt work, but don't want to do it as a full-time job.Ideal situationThe portfolio is- Diversified into RE- Uses safe leverage and low interest rates to maximize returns- Provides cashflow to cover the interest payments / expenses- Increases overall return vs. only stocks, bonds- Uses my credit line fully (in a safe way).