Yes you partner with them on the individual deal but you get the reps in to become better at watching a deal from start to finish. 

I work in tech and she just started a new job here for the state. 

Quote from @Akintunde Aboaba: I’m looking to start investing in real estate this year and would appreciate insights from experienced investors on the best strategies in today’s market.

Here is one recommendation as you begin your REI journey.Make sure to have your team around you before you start, or as Brandon Turner from the BP podcast calls it, your CORE4. 

I know it's a bit scary to start but once you jump in, you'll learn and grow!

Thats awesome that you are going to start in MTRs, I had a lot of success with mine near the hospital in Temple.

Is $50k enough to get started?

I've started, grown & sold 4 companies over the last 15 years (two PE exits).

Ebooks, podcasts like @Bonnie Low suggested and start running numbers on every deal you see until you know how it all works.

I’d start by figuring out the cost of the cosmetic updates and seeing how much you could rent it out for.