Pros
The tasks of a front desk representative are easy to learn and repetitive enough that you can master them quickly. Answering phones, sorting mail, adding listings to the MLS system, receiving and sending titles through the real estate title companies' courier services, etc.
Cons
They ask the front desk representatives to take on many of the things that real estate agents typically do, and at times you feel like a personal assistant to the agents. At the office where I worked, this meant assisting 40+ agents with all kinds of tasks that were not in my job description. Sometimes you are doing the work of a co-listing agent, without receiving any of the commission that a co-listing agent would get. They wring as much work out of you as they can, while promising you that you could "move up" one day. I did not see any evidence of front desk reps ever actually moving up in this office.