Have you ever considered you might be part of the reason someone else’s children can now afford to attend college?

This is a reality for the real estate hiring manager at CBSHOME in Omaha, Nebraska who hired and mentored Jonathan.

Even his friends and family questioned the likelihood of an Air Force accountant becoming a successful and prosperous real estate professional, but it happened.

Read Jonathan’s Canvas Story to learn how some ThirdPool candidates make their way to the real estate industry from the most unlikely places.

Transitioning from the Military is Challenging

I personally have a military background and remember the fear and uncertainty of making the transition back into the normal workforce. It’s hard to see how your military skills and experiences apply in the civilian marketplace.

Jonathan experienced this struggle too.

I worked as an accounting analyst in the air force for five years. I decided to take some leave to visit family. I needed a change and wanted to find a different career. I knew I was analytical, but I wasn’t looking to be an accountant again.

While visiting family, I saw signs for CBSHOME in front of a lot of houses. I started researching the industry.

Is this something I would enjoy doing?

I decided to pursue the real estate coursework to see if this was something I wanted to do.

Finding Motivation

One of my mentors once told me: Everyone who has taken a shower has had a great idea, but few take an idea and turn it into a real business. Jonathan found the motivation to move his plan forward.

By the time I was done the coursework, I was fairly confident that this was the right fit.

Being in the military, you are obligated to others, but in the world of real estate career, you’re held to your own standards and your own goals. It’s about what you want to achieve, not about what someone else wants you to achieve, and that appealed to me.

My friends and family would tell me that they didn’t see the connection between accounting and realty, but I did. I stayed focused on my goal.

I just like that every day is a mystery (which is certainly unlike the military).

Every day is different now, and I like that.

Prosperity Leads to Generational Change

Jonathan is on his way to becoming one of the high-performing agents at CBSHOME. He’s committed to turning this prosperity into generational change in his own family.

I was raised by a single mom who had to work really hard and be frugal in order to raise and provide for us.

I want my family to have a full life. I want my kids to go to college. That goal is within my grasp now as long as I get up and work hard and reach my own goals.

I traded structure for enormous flexibility, but it has worked out well for me. It’s all achievable, you just have to work hard.

You can read more about Jonathan’s story on his CBSHOME webpage.

Questions or Comments?  Reply to your WorkPuzzle subscription email.

Didn’t get the WorkPuzzle email?  Subscribe below.  We promise not to share your email with others or use it for any other purpose but delivering WorkPuzzle notices.