If you have been eyeing a career change, you are not alone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs in the year 2021. Known as the Great Resignation, this phenomenon is continuing well into 2022. This February, 4.3 million employees bid their jobs farewell.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, three major reasons for this are low pay, lack of opportunities for advancement, and feeling disrespected at work. As you consider your own next steps, you may find that a career in real estate provides limitless opportunities to craft a life that suits and supports your vision for the future. Thinking of pursuing a career in real estate? You have an ally in the **Keller Williams School of Real Estate, or KSCORE. KSCORE is a national real estate training program formed in partnership with Kaplan Real Estate Education, one of the world’s most diversified global education organizations. Through KSCORE’s asynchronous pre-licensing curriculum, which comes at zero cost to you, you can complete the curriculum at your own pace and adapt it to fit your schedule.
Here, three newly licensed real estate professionals share their experience with KSCORE and their journey to creating a booming business.
Anastasiya Golota, Pennsylvania
Outfront: What did your life look like before getting your real estate license?
AG: Before I got into real estate, I was (and still am!) a nursing student, currently in my second semester. What made me interested in real estate was the recent purchase of my home, and the current market that we’re in.When I bought my home, my Realtor just sent me listings without following up or asking me if anything was new, or what I liked or didn’t like. I thought, “You know, I did 95% of the work myself.” I thought I do not want to be like that. I want to be closer to my clients, and to build relationships so they can trust me. I want this to be a good experience for them, and I don’t want them to do my work because that is my job.
I used to drive around nice neighborhoods and look at houses and think to myself, “Wow, this would be my dream house.” Then, I realized there are tens of thousands of people that would love a house like that, and I can help them make their dreams come true. That makes me feel good.
Outfront: Tell us a little bit about your experience with the program.
AG: I was looking for a part-time job online, saw an ad for KSCORE, and thought that it would be an amazing opportunity. My now market center leader reached out to me and we went through the process together. I loved that the program was online and I could take it at my own pace, in the comfort of my own home. I finished the program in about 10 days.
Many people have told me that they are inspired by my achievements so far, with me being in nursing school, finishing real estate school so quickly, and being Ukrainian with everything going on. But I think this is just the beginning and I will be doing many more great things with my career.
Outfront: What was your first business win?
AG: My two productivity coaches have been amazing. They are helping me every minute of the day, and I don’t know what I would have done without them. I already had my first listing appointment, and I signed my first buyer’s agency contract. People keep contacting me every day, and I try to start right away, helping them out. I’ve started posting about it everywhere I could. I sent postcards within a 5-mile radius of my neighborhood. I’m determined to take my business up. I have very big plans for my future, and I truly feel like this is what I was meant to be doing with my life.
Scottie Vosburgh, Virginia
Outfront: What did your life look like before getting your real estate license?
SV: I have had a lot of interesting jobs. I was in the mortgage industry for about five years. I have been a pageant director, I was the operations director for a decorative paint company, I was a DIY blogger, and most recently, I was a contractor right before real estate. I love old houses, and I love fixing things. I still build furniture and sometimes paint kitchen cabinets. I have a love for all things home, so real estate seemed like a good fit.
Outfront: Tell us a little bit about your experience with the program.
SV: The team leader of my Keller Williams office and I have been friends for several years. Every once in a while, she would tell me I would make a great agent. During COVID, I was a contractor and working by myself, which is not the easiest thing to do. One day, I decided I was sick of that. So I called my friend. The next day she sent me a code to sign up for KSCORE. I took about two weeks to take the class from start to finish, and then took the test. So, full steam ahead. I also went ahead and got licensed in West Virginia.
I’m very grateful. It was great not having to worry about the cost. The materials are easy to follow and really thorough. By the time the program was all over, I felt very well prepared for the licensing exam. I felt like the program quizzes were even harder than the exam questions.
Outfront: What was your first business win?
SV: I got my first listing already. My friend is a real estate agent in Texas and she called me about a client who was selling a house close to my area. I met up with her, and she said, “Walk me through this house and tell me everything I need to do like I am your little brother.” We went through each room and it was about a five-and-a-half-hour listing appointment. But, she and her husband signed everything, and it is going to be on the market soon.
Outfront: What is your advice for those starting their own journey in real estate?
SV: Never underestimate the power of your intelligence. All of your life experience is valuable. It’s all valuable information that makes you a better agent, a better student, a better human being. Think about how to relate it to what you are doing now.
When entering real estate, think long and hard about how much of a servant you want to be, because it is a big servant job. If you’re doing it right, you are really helping other people and you can get a lot of joy out of it. It is rewarding, but I think a lot of people look at real estate and don’t see that it is work. If you love it, it is wonderful. I just wouldn’t want somebody to get into it thinking it is easy, though.
Jodi Zawaski, Minnesota
Outfront: What did your life look like before getting your real estate license?
JZ: Most recently, I was a workflow specialist at a multinational firm that operates in aerospace. I was leading a team of about 15 aerospace technicians, but I was looking for something a little different. I wanted to be a bit more flexible with my work-life balance. The people skills I’ve learned there will come in handy in real estate. I dealt a lot with people’s concerns and tried to help cater to everyone’s needs. I also did a lot of spreadsheet work, so that should help with my database.
Outfront: Tell us a little bit about your experience with getting your real estate license.
JZ: When I reached out to my Realtor that I have used for two transactions in the past, they told me about this opportunity a few months before it launched at my brokerage. The program was great! Everything was smooth, and I liked that I was able to do things at my own pace. I took about two months to complete the program while I was still working full time.
Outfront: What was your first business win?
JZ: It’s going great. It’s been a little different for me, as I was doing a dual career up until recently. I haven’t jumped in there as much as I’d like to, but I’m going through a new agent boot camp, and that has been very helpful to me. Now, I’m focused 100% on real estate. I have been reaching out to my sphere and attending more events.
What is YOUR next career move?
Are you considering making the switch to real estate? What would you like to learn more about when it comes to the industry? Let us know in the comments section!
**Keller Williams School of Real Estate (KSCORE) and Keller Williams Realty, Inc. (collectively, “KW”) does not offer prelicensing (PL) and continuing education (CE) courses in any state; Kaplan Real Estate Education is the state-approved education provider and developer of pre-licensing and continuing education courses. KW encourages individuals to pursue a career in real estate by funding their pre-licensing courses. Please find Kaplan’s specific state approval information here. Any questions regarding PL and CE course content or technology should be directed to Kaplan Real Estate Education.
