MIAMI BEACH-Twenty-eight-year-old Chad Carroll, luxury sales director for Douglas Elliman here, has already been around the block. With the firm for 18 months now, he's also served time with another multifamily firm and a commercial shop as well. In addition, out of school (he graduated from Long Island's Hofstra University in 2007 with a marketing and business management degree), he spent time in the aerospace industry.

All of that experience, of course, informs his current profession. But when it comes to specific training, other than actually learning by feel in the trenches, Carroll relies on professional certifications. An active member of the Realtor Association on Miami Beach, part of the National Association of Realtors, Carroll has a string of professional designations, including professional buyer representative and professional seller representative.

He says he discovered the training sessions as a matter of necessity. “It started for me in 2008,” he recalls . “The market was terrible, all the property was distressed and I was trying to figure out how to make money. I realized I needed to learn about short sales and foreclosures because that's what everyone wanted. No one was buying luxury homes then.”

As the market came back, the luxury sales returned. “But that said, if the market collapses again,” Carroll notes, “I have that certification to sustain an ongoing business. Others, when the market collapsed, got out of the business because they didn't know what to do.”

So Carroll is now a devotee, and tries to attend at least one ongoing education session a month to keep in fighting trim. When possible, he tries to take the course online so he can do it at his leisure. “There are little things that you discover each time,” he explains.

He urges young brokers to use professional designation training as a way to stay ahead of the trends. “There's been a lot on LEED and green,” he notes. “That's the next wave of certifications that people should explore because developers are going in that direction.”

But he also urges up-and-comers to tap into social media and new marketing sessions. “It all comes down to selling properties and helping clients,” he says.

Frankly, it almost doesn't matter what specific letters follow your name, Carroll notes. “It doesn't mean a lot to our clients,” he says. “What matters is the knowledge you take in. All my clients value my opinion. I know the market and how to structure deals. It's the knowledge that takes you to the next level. The knowledge is priceless, and I'll continue to grow and attend as many classes as possible. It's a must do. No matter what specialty you pursue.”