I'm eager to learn anything there is, and also willing to run errands and assist where possible for those who have established themselves in investing.

I take care of all chores/cooking/errands/ and research for increasing our income. 

I have a self designed word doc that I print every other day that has 2 days of "errands" and "around the house" stuff on the left and phone calls and reminders on the right.

You could also ask them to keep an eye out for FSBO signs or vacant looking properties just in their daily on goings to and from work, running errands ect.I know some other people may use VA or virtual assistants with this.

Be willing to run errands and check things out for the investor.A natural sense of curiosity.Initiative.A helpful, cooperative attitude.Who else cares to weigh-in?

For running errands, groceries, I don't need a car because I live in downtown Chicago and everything is within walking distance.

They may not do more than just run errands for their parents, but the fact that they are there and see how the businesses are run, how to balance accounts, pay bills and taxes... 

If you aren't ready to look at potential properties yet, maybe even just running a few of your everyday errands (going to the bank, picking up groceries, etc) will give you a little more insight on an area of interest.

predicting recessions is a fools errand. there was once an article to the tune of an indicator that predicted 10 of the past three recessions

A couple days after I posted this I came home from running errands to find a notice on my door that the fines needed to be paid within 3 days or else the eviction process would be started!