This is far more important than a degree that matches real estate especially if you plan to use the degree to fund your real estate ventures.

So my venture into real estate investing at this moment may seem on the surface to be a dismal failure, but to me it is an opportunity at this moment. 

Being that this was our first venture into development, we didn't realize how long it would take and much it actually cost to get finalized plans before we can actually begin building.

Your greatest advantage is you are here in Chicago.  9-10 million people in metro area, 1 million+ investment units, huge enconomy with many sub market economies in the suburbs.You should be lining up people you can ask for money now so on your wholesale venture you have opportunity to snag a deal when you see one. 

I fully intend to start out in my local community where I have deep understanding on the area versus venturing too far away. 

I've heard High Point is a great place to invest (Bigger Pockets rated it in the top 5 of cities in the US for rentals a while back), but we haven't ventured that far yet.We are up in the Lake Norman area, which also has some opportunities. 

I still made multiple mistakes on my ventures as a newbie but I also side stepped dozens because I saw them happen in real time before. 

I’d like to venture out into the wholesaling world.

Rather than venture into cold calling and texting keep hitting them with direct mail.

People will tell you that that's not smart, and holds dangers but if we are being honest we can say that about every investment venture.