Degrees and/or all sorts of training cannot guarantee professionalism.

No

I don't think a college degree makes anyone more professional. It might help them know more, but that doesn't equate into a different way of conducting themselves.

No. There are people who a professional who lack a degree and plenty of college grads that will never be true professionals. Work ethic makes a big difference, plus the willingness to continue learning and to behave professionally under all circumstances.

good question.  my gut reaction is yes but in writing only.  college teaches you many things about business and becoming a professional.  yet i have met plenty of college grads that are anything but professional.  a degree can only go so far after that it is a choice to be professional. 

Neither a college degree nor the Nobel Prize can guarantee a sales agent will be more professional.  Being professional has many levels and is totally dependent on the individual.   Knowledge is just one aspect and, as far as I know, nothing in the college cirriculum teaches practical skills for being successful as an agent.  It can, however, be beneficial in teaching Business Management skills.  Afterall, managing a small business is what an agent is doing... from day 1 ! 

I think it will always depend on the individual.

No it depends on the individual person.

Professionalism comes from within.

Probably not.

When I was thinking about dropping out of college in my freshman year, my boss explained to me that the degree does not make you a better employee/professional, but having the commitment to get the degree does speak volumes to future employers.

I went back, finished my degree, and then went and got another.

It may, but there's no guarantee. Doesn't matter how big ones D...D..Degree is, it's on how well one uses it.

It depends. Education is powerful but I have also met some PhD's that couldn't carry a conversation and seemed like total idiots.

I don't think so. A person can act extremely professional whether they have a college degree or not.

Not in my opinion.  You can learn, but can you perform? Being professional also means personality. comunication and even projecting a professional attitude.  A College Degree may not teach you all that.

A person can draw from a higher learning experience in any profession, but common sense, experience, and people skills cannot be taught in any institution. A true professional is someone who understands what they are doing, can explain it, and can do it in a way that evokes trust and integrity, with tangible measures of success, whether they went to college or not.

Nope, but it does sound good if you have MBA on your card:) Yet, it will not guarantee a good service. I met agents with only high school diploma who are wildly successful in sales. 

No.  Business school either goes through you or you go through business school.  Degrees give you experience of time management, opens your mind  for learning and teaches you how to be poor for at least four years.  All are life experiences that hopefully one carries into their life, and provides the mindset for compassion.  Sales is about listening to people, developing relationships and coming from contribution.  A degree can mature someone, however, it really comes down to that individual. 

No, it does not.

This is an example of a surrogate endpoint, and effort to connect a action with an unrelated outcome.

But, it is a common chorus sang by those elitists in the real estate business who plead "Raise the barrier to entry' so there will be less competition and fewer who are upsetting the status quo.

A better question which is actually more relative, is does receiving Honorable paper after military service make one a better professional.

Those in the business know a lot of the real estate business has to do with doing stuff you don't like doing.

A BS in animal husbandry or honorable discharge? I know where I would put my money.

Depends where it's purchased

Not necessarily but higher education is certainly beneficial.

Depends on the individual - I think life experiences and role models will help more than college in and of itself 

Many good answers to your question. Put ditto marks under Nicholas Crane and Carol Williams 

The degree doesn't make you anything.  Getting the degree (especially if you worked and achieved A grades) usually provides skills and work ethic that contribute to one's success as a professional.

The credentials may improve the appearance of being professional, but as you know, it's not what you've got, it's what you do with it.  So which professionals do you admire?  Think about why and work hard to gain and use those skills.  This will not only help you be professional, it will help you like yourself...priceless.

Not necessarily.

No,

 But I think people that are in should stay without one but I think for the future you should have one!

No.

     I don't think so. 

No, not to me!  I've known people with Masters who have no common sense and are only book-smart.  Being professional to me means having a Code of Ethics, both in work and in your life.  Be a person of your word, and that is professional!

Maybe years ago but not now.

I highly disagree.

I wouldn't think so. I think being professional is an individual choice whether or not you have a college degree. 

no..... simple answer..... 

No, that is just chaaracter.

Not more professional but smarter

Reputation and track record are really important.  And having said that -

Actualy, I can't think of another "profession" that does not require an advanced degree.  Here in DC, most agents do have a degree, and many have MBA's and law degrees, or they are retired Foreign Service Officers, which generally requires an advanced degree.  If I were choosing a Realtor to work with, I would rank educational background right up there.

No.  

It depends.  On the individual.   On the degree.  On the definition of professional.  

No.  I know very professional people without a college degree in several fields.  Some guy named "Bill Gates" did allright for himself without a degree.

Now out here there is talk about requiring a degree for a Broker's license and degrees do substitute for experience.

No. There are so many individuals that were outstanding in their careers and became famous.

It depends on the degree. Good question!

We are always looking of ways to raise our personal stock. This be one of them. Remember: Its what you do with what you have & not just having it

Nothing will make a person more intelligent if they fail to listen.

No, I don't believe it does. There are many so called professionals who don't know much of anything.

It depends.

No IMHO. 

It's like saying wearing orange nail polish will make you sell more homes.

No to your question (the way you asked it ).

yes and smarter

I am in west coast. Rarely do I see realtors who are not college grads. Silicon Valley ~70% have mba, jd, phd degrees. Almost all have professional credentials like cpa, crs etc. Most can get high tech wages but want the independence life style.  

Having said of college education, one top agent told me he did not finish high school often asked me to look over his writings.  But he is an exception.

Those with CCIM requires lots of courses in finance, accounting, w/o it is harder to get the credential and be a commercial caliper dealing with accountants and corp lawyers.  

Great question.  Totally intriguing.  I say yes.