What would you tell someone who is considering a real estate career?

I was at a meeting recently where several folks remarked how many fewer agents there happen to be in Camden County Ga.  I mentioned that I have seen the same thing happen.  Many agents have left the field to pursue other avenues of work.  A friend of mine up north has lost about 1/3 of his agents in the last 18 months.  He credits the economy and the fact that most that left his Brokerage were under-performers anyway

My question to the Realtors is what would you say either positive or negative to someone who is considering entering the Real Estate game now as an agent?