I learned about serving the client but in the very beginning, I was mostly interested in making a sale.

That would really depend if the agent has ever done Contracts and had Fiduciary Responsibility!

Nope! I was Ninja Selling trained within 2 months of getting my license and Buffini & Company trained within 6 months. My coaching had me on track year 1. My broker required our (minimum) first three transactions to have an mentor senior agent and a TC onboard.

No, this is a people first business and those chasing the money are soon shown the back door out of the industry. Thankfully!

No, clients should never be put at risk.  However, you're right.  Many newbie agents and some others have no idea of what a contract really is and what can ultimately happen with them.  

Agents write the contracts in Florida.  I was lucky I had a legal background.  But if I didn't, there is a lot to learn to watch out for your buyers and sellers, in my opinion.

First Question:  HELL NO! 

Clients should NEVER be put at risk while the person they hired learns what they should already know.  This is what training and mentoring are all about. 

I have a wonderful broker who guided me through and it was pretty easy.  But I've learned a lot of lessons just watching her for 20 years.

Unless properly trained, new agents don't yet grasp the big picture . . . 

Having said that . . . there is an element of luck at first. 

I just wanted to learn about real estate, and a variety of opportunities were seen as such.

No. I have always been service minded. If I didn't care about people and I wanted big money I'd be an assassin Richie Alan Naggar 

We will see a thinning of the herd (20%) by EOY 2023 

My first broker watched over me like a hawk, and asked me what I was doing every day, so not to make mistakes.   Luckily most of my first clients were Safeway fellow employees.  They knew I was new, and I would check and check twice to be sure I was ok.

I started right in the middle of the Great Recession.  It was trial by fire and I had to learn quickly.  It was a real challenge.

New agents who want to succeed should get a mentor from the get go!

Brokers who hire new agents should be there helping them learn the ropes. Unfortunately many do not.

No.  In a properly run company Brokers or designated agency trainers provide training and hands-on experience to new agents.  When I got back into real estate after my corporate hiatus, my Broker went with me on appointments and showings.  He'd take the lead when needed, he was there to answer any questions I didn't know the answers to, and he could give me feedback and training after.  I was never under the "trial by fire" mentality that you reference.

No that's not how I started out. I was already in business and real estate went hand in hand with the other one - design.  Clients first has always been my motto. And thankfully I had an excellent broker/business manager that was #1 in the area. I learned a lot from him.

I think that it is stain on the industry every time an inexperienced agent steps into the field, yet it happens every day.

I don't recall ever taking anything by 'chance,' Richie Alan. I had a fantastic mentor who prepped me every step of the way so that I never felt inexperienced. I wish every brand new agent had an amazing mentor!

No I was very serious about doing the right things & how your instructed makes all the difference. I had a good manager starting out.

Clients should be top of mind but I don't want to mentor a newbie so they can learn the ropes.

I was shocked at the start of my career that any company, owner or Broker would allow me to go out and list homes or bring offers with no experience what so ever.  I still think it is insane.  I was always careful and sought out advice before doing anything the might be questionable.