Thread: I'm a young Ivy-educated guy wanting to get into real estate in NYC

So here's my situation.

I'm 22 and a recent graduate from a very prestigious university where most of my classmates (who are not becoming monks/stoners or grad students) are working as bankers or consultants in NY. The thing is, I have absolutely no interest in banking or consulting.

I can definitely see myself in a sales-related job. I've always felt like I have the temperament to be good in a sales position of some sort. I mean, yeah, I have the skills that a well-educated college grad is expected to have (reading, writing, comprehending, doing math all at high levels), but because I've been in college for four years I haven't had much exposure to the real world.

So the thing is - I know this definitely handicaps me. I know it doesn't really take a college degree to succeed as an agent. But I feel like in addition to my academic ability I'm also good on streets, i.e. talking to people, getting people to listen, reading people, being persuasive, professional, persistent, that sort of thing.

I am asking for advice on a list of all the things I should be doing to get started in this. I have no prior experience in real estate but I have been looking into classes and I can start any time and get licensed in about a month. I can read and learn stuff real fast.

I'm living in Queens, NYC. I'm tutoring on the side to pay the bills. I get $40/hr which means I don't have to work that many hours to support myself and have plenty of time to take classes and get licensed, etc.

My question is: Am I crazy to be doing this in these rough times? I would like advice - like a list of things I should be doing.

I was offered a position as an agent trainee (in spite of my lack of experience) at a firm on Wall Street but a week later they said due to the bad economy they couldn't hire me. I'm still looking at other places.

So my questions:

1) With the bad economy and all, am I crazy to be doing this when I have no experience? Are places in NYC really still hiring stone-cold rookies like me? If so, which ones (in particular) should I look at?
2) I'm thinking about taking classes from nyrei.com. Are they any good?
3) Which books should I read? What should I be doing to get me up to speed (if at all possible)?

I'm new, I'm young, and I'm fresh. But I'm determined and I will work hard. Pretend I'm your son or something. What would you say to me?

If all else fails I'm registered to take my LSATs December and go to law school next year. If the economy sucks then stay in school - that's what everyone's telling me.

Thanks in advance for any help, y'all.