You cannot smoke within 10M (30ft) of public buildings or places of work/commerce; hospitals, schools, and more and more private business do not allow smoking on their properties.  

I'm Jason, and I'm an engineer who recently moved to Charleston fresh out of grad school.  

I will be graduating from college this coming December and will most likely begin work in the Houston construction industry while growing capital and knowledge for my first deal.

NOVA has the highest concentration of college graduates in the country. 

Although it does get people thinking and that is good.NPN is like graduate school no one is going to learn this by reading on BP one really needs to experience it and just do it...

Degree in Business from the Univ. of North Florida, I am active in philanthropy,  I am a mother of 2 (a 21 yr old step son and a 15 yr old daughter), I bowl on a league, and I am the President of the PTA at my daughter high school.

My question is this: what would be the recommended route to begin working in real estate to learn the industry, while going to business school part time, that will allow me to still generate an income?

The school district is amazing and quality of life makes it a highly desirable rental market. 

Other than being a homeowner I have zero experience in real estate.Plan is to buy single family homes in middle class, mostly owner occupied neighborhoods with good schools.  

Allen & Garland, and Southwest Arlington.That keeps you out of anything remotely considered a war zone and in some solid school districts, while still allowing you to find reasonably priced properties.