Career change into Real Estate Acquisitons/Analyst, How can I Break In?
Hey All,

 I am looking to make a career change into the Real Estate Industry.  Ideally, I would like to land a job as a real estate acquisitions analyst.  My working background is in sales and as I had formed a company that furnished and managed corporate housing rentals.  I have experience in customer relations, financial analysis and I have great knowledge of Microsoft Word and Powerpoint.  A lot of job postings require advanced skills in excel and/or argus which I am willing to learn as well.  If there are any tips or advice anyone can give me on how to break in when my resume has no real estate history I would greatly appreciate it.  (note: I hold a bachelors in psychology)
[{"id": "fhcv6ii", "text": "Be a commercial agent and sell income producing properties. If you have sales experience and you're good at it it's where u wanna be. I'm an agent who really isn't a salesman (2019 was my breakout year though) and would prefer to be an analyst but when you look at the earning potential of an analyst vs an agent you'll understand why I say what I do.", "replies": [{"id": "fhegcx5", "text": "True. \n\nThe only way I feel like you can make much more is by securing an analyst job at a real estate private equity, which is not an easy task.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fhcvfrn", "text": "Break into CRE with Justin Kivel he has many cheap courses in Udemy. Also runs his services for 40/month or 300 a year. \n\nSpencer Burton has YouTube videos and adventure in cre accelerator. \n\nRefm with Bruce Kirsch. \n\nNetwork network network. Utilize alumni on LinkedIn.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fhd9mjy", "text": "I\u2019m sorry but working as an acquisitions analyst is not something you can get by taking udemy courses. Get a masters degree or MBA o", "replies": [{"id": "fhejxt2", "text": "I'm someone who is an acquisitions analyst and does not have a Masters or MBA, but this advice is completely correct haha. I don't foresee a lateral or career advancing move without those credentials. You'll need this.", "replies": [{"id": "fhewf6v", "text": "Yeah I worked as an acq analyst prior to getting a masters but it was after a year of CBRE capital markets. Much cheaper path that a masters if OP wants to try to lateral into acquisitions", "replies": [{"id": "fkybvuf", "text": "What is a capital markets roles at cbre? Investment sales?", "replies": [{"id": "fkybyjk", "text": "Yes as an analyst on an investment sales team", "replies": [{"id": "fkyel07", "text": "How hard was it to make the jump to acquisitions? As someone starting to look to a RE career change, it seems like IS/capital markets is a pretty solid (competitive) place to start. Why is that?", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fhfu521", "text": "I work as acquisitions analyst straight from undergrad at a large firm and don\u2019t have a masters or mba. Didn\u2019t even go to a target school. It\u2019s not rocket science. Just a lot of networking and understating real estate material.", "replies": [{"id": "fhfudrj", "text": "Did you read the post? OP sells furniture", "replies": [{"id": "fhg3ydx", "text": "He should try to land an investment sales gig then. \n\nHe can always call local family offices and see if they offer any internships.", "replies": [{"id": "fhg421t", "text": "Yeah agreed. 1-2 years of that could lateral to an entry-level acquisitions job. Fastest route would be one year masters but that certainly doesn\u2019t guarantee anything", "replies": [{"id": "fhg4ncm", "text": "Most MREDs are pretty easy to get into from what I heard. You just have to know finance before going in. Also it depends where OP lives. Where I work there\u2019s 1000s of family offices all across the city and region. \n\nIt\u2019s been a super long week at work. All I saw when scanning his post was excel, sales and financial analysis so I assumed he had non real estate finance experience.", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fhe4vge", "text": "I\u2019m currently looking for an analyst positions as well. I\u2019d say your best bet is to get the ARGUS certification and become very familiar with Excel modeling. You\u2019ll also need to network a ton, try meeting with people from many different firms. From my experience each meeting you have will open up a door to another contact. \n\nAs someone mentioned before it would be beneficial to get a MS or MBA if possible. I majored in Finance with a minor in Real Estate and am currently getting my MS in Real Estate. That said it is still difficult to break in with the top firms even with my background. Best of luck!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fhekuuf", "text": "Will a certification help at all? Like UCLA extension real estate certification ?", "replies": [{"id": "fhgtzve", "text": "The Argus class is very good. I took it two years back. You can find the finance classes online. If you want a real estate education do a one year mred.", "replies": [{"id": "fhht1y8", "text": "I also took the Argus class, last year, was totally worth it \n\nMred is a masters degree , right ? That\u2019s $65k+ :/", "replies": [{"id": "fhhvcx0", "text": "There\u2019s MRE and MREDS. Both masters degrees. It varies in price. Some will be cheaper/more expensive depending on school, location and public/private.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fhevbn9", "text": "Most reputable company\u2019s want to see advanced degree in business or maybe if you have many years in brokerage. Otherwise good luck your going up against a lot of burnt out brokers who have lots of experience and a degree that just want the stability as they get older.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]