How to transition from civil engineering to CRE career?
Hello! I’m a civil engineer that would like to work for a small to mid-sized developer in a project management or land development manager role. I’m particularly interested in industrial, multi-family, and single family residential asset classes. That said, I’m open to any role on any team just to get my foot in the door and learn. 

I’m 4.5 years out of undergrad and have current experience in everything from industrial site design to transportation design. Current role is project engineer at large international engineering and construction firm. 

1. Does anyone here have a similar background? If so, could you tell me about how you were able to transition to your current role and your experience within the industry so far? 

2. Are there any particular kinds of firms that are aggressively hiring right now? Is there a certain job role that firms are trying to fill? 

3. Are there any career paths that align with my background that are not as well known? 

4. Any tips on crafting a real estate resume? Are CRE resume writers worth it? 

5. What is the best way to reach out to someone for lunch or coffee? I’ve researched some people in my area with similar backgrounds and would like to pick their brains. Is it best to reach out through LinkedIn, work email, or direct call work number? 


Thank you all. Any advice is much appreciated!
[{"id": "h1gwcqt", "text": "I am in the same boat as you friend, 5 years in bridge sales and design, recent PE. Following for more info.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1gwtl5", "text": "I\u2019m a project engineer for a GC who would like to get into development in a few years.  Interested to see the responses.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1gxdee", "text": "I did this. I got my PE then got a job with a developer a yr later.  I got really lucky as a head hunter just called with with a gig with a retail developer out of the blue. I had actually called several of the developers in my city of interest but didn\u2019t have luck getting any interviews.  Then this just happened.\n\nI\u2019d suggest to just keep hustling.  Call local developers, try to expand your circle into development type people, cultivate good relationships with your clients.\n\nRecommend continuing to push to find a job in CRE if eng isnt motivating for you.", "replies": [{"id": "h1iphci", "text": "Also, from my experience developers aren\u2019t bound to doing standard W-2 401K hires.  You could offer to help them out at night or on weekends as 1099 or for free so that they can see that you will add value to them.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "h1mesdi", "text": "Thanks! Are you enjoying your work and are you a PM for the retail developer?", "replies": [{"id": "h1ml1ui", "text": "Yeah that\u2019s what I do.  Once our site guys have it under contract and the deal is approved with the tenant, I take it over from entitlements thru construction.\n\nI really enjoy it.  So much more dynamic than eng", "replies": [{"id": "h1znlj4", "text": "Do you have any idea what it\u2019s like on the SFR side as a development manager? I have interest from a large tract builder and I\u2019m trying to gather information.", "replies": [{"id": "h1zz4ng", "text": "No idea", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1gz84f", "text": "Not an engineer, but I work for a small development firm and we are currently hiring a development project manager. An engineering background is a plus in that role, but our ideal candidate would also have experience taking projects all the way through the development cycle including site selection/pre development analysis/contract negotiation/design/budgeting/entitlements/due diligence/construction. Bigger firms might have dedicated people for some of these tasks, but we are a small shop so we do more with less. \n\nMy advice would be to maybe find a larger CRE development firm who would hire you as an engineer and then learn/migrate into other roles at the company.", "replies": [{"id": "h1i7nhd", "text": "Interesting, your development guys do site selection too?  Do you have site selectors?\n\nI do the development side for a small firm but don\u2019t get into the finding/creating new deals aside from providing feasibility input", "replies": [{"id": "h1ihtjq", "text": "Yeah we use brokers too. Just depends on our familiarity with the area.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "h1mg77n", "text": "Thank you!  I\u2019ll look into larger firms in my area. Sounds like smaller shops will be more interested in hiring a PM with plenty of experience?", "replies": [{"id": "h1mt4h9", "text": "That\u2019s the case at least for us. We are just too busy and don\u2019t have the capacity to train someone like a larger firm might.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1h48rd", "text": "Used to work for a big name developer and have seen this done. Usually requires either an MBA or start in a construction management role (while paying close attention to what the dev/investment folks are doing). If you can pick up a lot of the finance/entitlement/marketing stuff on the job or through outside education you should be able to prove you can make the transition.", "replies": [{"id": "h1mggfh", "text": "Thank you. That may be the next step, especially if I can\u2019t land a job within a year.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1h9229", "text": "Most have a professional license in Civil or structure engineering in the state that he practices. Some carry multiple licenses if practice in more than 1 state. They are almost all degreed with a speciality. A broker license and applicable experience some are even architects.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1hdfmp", "text": "Hey fellow PE! I am in this process right now. Quick summary of my process: I started as a structural engineer after graduation, got my PE, left engineering (got tired of the work and wanted to get on a more finance-related work I got exposed to from my business minor), worked with a commercial broker, and now I'm interning with a developer. The whole transition from engineering to another career was a nightmare for me. I wish I had done it better. I hope I can help other engineers.  \nFirst, you need to be able to answer why you're transitioning. Design is a different skillset from management. Management is a different skillset from development. So why do you want to go from design to management? This story that you can articulate feeds to the next thing...   \nNETWORK NETWORK NETWORK while you're still in contact with project managers, architects, developers, etc. For one, everyone will tell you that CRE is very relationship-driven, so might as well get started. Mainly, this is how you will get the opportunity as  \na career changer. Sure, you can change your resume all you want to highlight the most relatable skills from your work. HR and ATS (applicant hiring system) will filter you out 99.99% of the time for not having the right career progression. You might think that an engineering role would be valuable to them, but it's just not directly relevant. Again, different skillsets. That's why I recommend networking with the other parties you are interacting with within your projects. Build rapport with someone you have a good connection with and let them know you are curious about management. Also...  \nKEEP NETWORKING outside your professional network. Do the cold messages/emails as you said through LinkedIn and company websites. I'm not sure if I had success with those, but you don't win the lottery if you don't get a ticket. I would suggest talking to family and friends. They might just know someone who works in CRE. I find that you need that extra connection to get a deeper response. That's how I got to work with a broker. These guys are busy. It helps to be an asset that could lead to future deals. I was able to strengthen his current network since he's helping our mutual friend.\u00a0 I\u2019m not saying you will only get a response if you\u2019re an asset.\u00a0 My point is it helps to have a connection.\u00a0 This could be family friend, alumni, fellow club member, etc. \u00a0  \nHave you considered signing up for CRE certification?\u00a0 I don\u2019t think adding it to your resume will help with career change.\u00a0 Maybe helpful if you\u2019re already in a CRE career track.\u00a0 However, I recommend it to start learning about the industry.\u00a0 Help you narrow down the roles and, more importantly, if you really are interested in it.\u00a0 Check out the ones from NYU.\u00a0 There\u2019s a Land and Development certificate.\u00a0 Here is the link: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/certificates/real-estate-and-construction.html  \nPersonally, I am doing an MSRE program after this summer internship.\u00a0 It\u2019s a year long  \nprogram.\u00a0 If you are sure about transitioning to CRE, I would suggest just applying now while you are networking.\u00a0 You would be enrolling for Fall 2022.\u00a0 If any of your network can land you a job, you just withdraw.\u00a0 It\u2019s better than have Summer 2022 come up with no opportunities to transition.\u00a0 I decided to go MSRE because I want the framework, the network, and the specific program I got into.\u00a0 For me, I believe it will help me beyond that first job after graduation.\u00a0 It\u2019s already helped me land this summer internship and build network with CRE professionals.\u00a0 I have yet to start the program.\u00a0 I wish I had done it sooner.\u00a0   \nCRE resume writers? Never heard of those. Send me a link. Sounds like baloney, but could be legit.\u00a0Again, I don\u2019t think just fixing up your resume without CRE work experience will help much.\u00a0 In my older resume, I had a real estate license, real estate certification, and engineering work experience; and still didn't get a response on job apps.  \nNetwork + Certificate.\u00a0Maybe MSRE.  \nHope that helps!  \n\u00a0", "replies": [{"id": "h1mhe86", "text": "Thanks for the great information! I\u2019ll start contacting people now and look into a local MSRD program that happens to be very good. Are you trying to work while in school? With PE background, do you want to be a PM? It sounds like you\u2019re leaning towards acquisitions", "replies": [{"id": "h1n2y8o", "text": "I\u2019m not planning to work during grad school.  I was told it is not recommended because of time commitment in the program.  It\u2019ll have to be networking and case studies/competition during free time.  Right, I\u2019m leaning towards acquisition and portfolio management to focus on the finance side.  Part of why it\u2019s been a hard transition I guess.  If you want to focus on development, check out USC. Idk if they have a certification.  That NYU certification link could also be a networking channel. Also look into organizations like ULI for networking events.  Give us an update. Would love to hear your transition and what works for you. All the best!", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "h1tazam", "text": "Nice, I wasnt able to get an internship this summer but Im starting an MSRE in the Fall at a cheaper university. If I manage to get a full time job out of this, thatd be great. I was also looking to get one of the NYU certs at the same time as my MSRE, since those are wayyyy cheaper than their masters program. \nHow were you able to land your summer internship using your MSRE?", "replies": [{"id": "h1wddz5", "text": "I took one of the NYU certification classes (not the full set of courses to get the certification) and thought about taking more where I overlap with the MSRE, but it didn't make sense for me.  I could probably pick my professors' brains about the classes listed in the certification.  And once I have a full time job, then maybe supplement with a certification specific to what I am doing.  Doing the certification together with the MSRE might either be redundant or a distraction.  Idk, what's your take?\n\nI'm very fortunate to have this development internship.  Once I got in the program, I became eligible as a \"student.\"  I've been out of undergrad for a few years now, and that is what kept me from these opportunities.  The Hiring Manager here also has an MSRE (from a different school), and he was looking for someone genuinely interested in RE.  My PE background was actually a pro and con.  Pro because I bring in a different perspective, and con because it cast a doubt on why I am changing careers.  The MSRE program was my way of showing a commitment to CRE.", "replies": [{"id": "h2251ut", "text": "Thanks for getting back to me. \nI am based in NY so I want to get the NYU name on my resume. The program Im attending isnt as well known or extensive, so I think a cert in RE finance from NYU would look good. I do have 5 years to complete, so Ill do it eventually. \nBut yea if Im lucky enough to get a FT job, then Ill just complete a certificate at my pace. Probably a cert in development from MIT or something.  \n\nCongrats on the dev internship! Im really trying to get into development or RE finance, an internship would be a good start. It took a while for me to decide on an MSRE, but Im glad to hear that some hiring managers respect the MSRE.", "replies": [{"id": "h24ib1o", "text": "I have the MIT certification for CRE Investment Analysis.  My take is the certifications are not really resume \"booster\".  At most, they help you dip your toes and learn something about the industry.  I actually feel that what I learned was good quality, although broad.  However, It didn't seem to attract hiring managers.  This internship right now didn't even mention it.  \n\nFor the MSRE program, I believe the real value is how well connected it is to the industry.  This is network from the alumni and the professors.  If you feel good about that aspect, start tapping into that network now.  Let me know how it goes!", "replies": [{"id": "h252gjb", "text": "Thanks for the info, Ill keep it in mind. I guess a cert is good if you dont want to commit to a degree program.\n\nYea I think youre right, thats what Ive read online. Its tough for me to justify paying like 100k for NYU, even though they have the best connections to the industry. Im going with a cheaper school, so Ill let you know how it goes!", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1i16ia", "text": "Doing this right now. I offered my services to a value-add developer as in-house engineering council. I essentially try and make sure he sounds knowledgeable when he says construction stuff. The firm just got into development so there is still a knowledge gap and that\u2019s where I add value. I did real estate development on my own and I use to write my own bid contracts which I got mostly from my civil background.", "replies": [{"id": "h1mi44z", "text": "Thank you! How long did you work in civil and now for the developer? Is it a brokerage company that is branching out?", "replies": [{"id": "h1o3trc", "text": "I only worked for 5 years including getting my masters. I never actually did civil. More PM and then asset management and construction management. \n\nIt\u2019s a real estate investment (buy and hold) company that kept getting beat on offers and thus moved into development. The firm is doing a weird construction manager at risk model where the CMAR also provides procurement services. They specialized in SIP panel construction so the model sort makes sense. With a CMAR you don\u2019t really need a sponsor representative (the role I fill) but most investors end up asking a lot of construction timeline and risk questions and that\u2019s where I step in.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1ifiyb", "text": "I moved into development after working as a civil engineering PE. I'll share my 2 cents.\n\n1. I did site design, permitting, and compliance review for all sorts of asset classes as a PE. I ended up getting poached by a client after giving them some advice on how to structure their contract around missing entitlements.\n\n2. Residential development and industrial development are busy as hell right now. Multifamily in some markets. If you can't get a job with a developer, at least try to join the \"go-to\" engineering firm for developers in your market (there's always one or two at least).\n\n3. Not that I'm familiar with.\n\n4. No, just relay your experience in engineering. Present yourself as an expert in that field. Most places want an in-house jack-of-all-trades in each field (construction, law, engineering, accounting, etc). \n\n5. See this comment I made to someone in a similar situation: https://www.reddit.com/r/realestateinvesting/comments/n68u0g/civil_engineering_background_is_it_useful_in_this/gx7pooj/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=ios_app\n\nGood luck. You spend 4 years getting your PE, so don't give up if it takes a few to get your next job.", "replies": [{"id": "h1mjdrr", "text": "Thank you for the great information!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "h1zp90q", "text": "Do you have any idea what it\u2019s like on the SFR side as a development manager? I have interest from a large tract builder and I\u2019m trying to gather information.", "replies": [{"id": "h20f17k", "text": "Yeah I'm pretty familiar with tract builder positions. Are you looking at an office management position or on-site contractor management?", "replies": [{"id": "h20ot7t", "text": "It\u2019s a land development manager position- seems like both office work and occasionally on-site.", "replies": [{"id": "h20rexx", "text": "Most builders have a position with that title but everyone treats it a little differently. You'll probably manage sitework on 1-5 subdivisions, similar to a superintendent but for horizontal construction. Tracking schedules, coordinating misc subs, managing budgets, paying AP, coordinating with local municipalities in issues. Depending on the builder, they may also have you doing some entitlement work. Probably a good step into development depending on your background in business or real estate.", "replies": [{"id": "h20zbe5", "text": "That sounds really interesting. Does the development team also negotiate all the contracts with engineering and construction subs?", "replies": [{"id": "h25z0d4", "text": "Depends on what you mean by negotiate with subs. I mean scope and price are what they are based on the plans and local unit costs. There may be some value engineering you can do. The actual service agreement will be negotiated usually by the attorneys; you'll probably have a standard agreement for them to sign.\n\nWork with the engineers will be left to the entitlement department if there is one; otherwise if may be you. Depending on your job description you may or may not interact with them until you start the bid process.", "replies": [], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1kqdzd", "text": "I am a multi family developer and I want my boss to let me hire a civil engineer for my first hire when the time comes \u2014 I am still new, haven\u2019t put enough on the board yet, but trust me: I am looking to hire you, specifically, or someone like you.\n\nThe problem I have is pretty simple: good civil engineers are expensive, and they need to be willing to take what is essentially an entry level job because what I really need is someone who (a) has a civil background, and (b) runs a ton of pro formas.\n\nWhat I WANT is your civil background so that I can ask you questions \u2014 but what I actually NEED is for you to do a bunch of grunt work, which you have to do anyway if you\u2019re going to be a development analyst. Most civil engineers aren\u2019t willing to go backwards and take a job which pays $50k, $65k at most, if you really want to work for a small to mid size developer. That\u2019s my budget \u2014 if I can\u2019t afford you, I\u2019ll hire a kid right out of school who will take that.\n\nWhat you haven\u2019t learned as civil is how to value a deal \u2014 I can teach you that. What you HAVE learned is to look at dirt and tell me what needs to happen for me to build there \u2014 and my GC can give me pricing for that.\n\nHonestly if you are willing to take an entry level dev job \u2014 and the salary hit \u2014 well shit, man. I\u2019d be surprised if you couldn\u2019t make the jump.", "replies": [{"id": "h1mlpz5", "text": "Thank you for the information! Would ARGUS certification be a huge boost or just a nice to have? Are firms like yours aggressively hiring ?", "replies": [{"id": "h1ora0d", "text": "Depends where you want to work. In multifamily specifically (and single family residential), ARGUS is completely irrelevant. If you want to do most other product types (such as industrial or retail), then yes \u2014 you should get an ARGUS certification.\n\nFirms like mine are indeed hiring. I see dev analyst roles all the time, and though we are not at the moment we will be soon. Stay focused, go to real estate networking events, and for gods sake man be willing to move cities unless you have a kid or something which would prevent you from moving.\n\nDev analyst jobs are the sexiest entry level gigs in CRE. You get one, you take it and figure the rest out later.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1w0ml7", "text": "Edit: Anyone know what life\u2019s like at large SFR tract builder in Acquisitions/ Development role?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h1zom42", "text": "Do have any knowledge about what it\u2019s like at large SFR development companies? I\u2019m going to interview with one and I\u2019m trying to get an idea of how they\u2019re structured/ what it\u2019s like to work for them.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h26kiss", "text": "If not already stated, a good start would be reaching out to a top brokerage shop (cbre,Jll, cushman). They actually have fee-based groups that specialize in project management for developers, as well as, tenants (think very big tenants i.e a Microsoft leasing 400k SF needing consulting for the construction, design, and buildout of the space). Usually these assignments are leads from the brokers that source the deal. May not be exactly what you want, but is good money and gets your foot in the door with institutional owners.", "replies": [{"id": "h2cdfwx", "text": "Thank you. So is the basic premise that the brokerage sources the land and deals with the acquisition and entitlement before the PM group acts as a another consultant to the master developer?", "replies": [{"id": "h2ds6cq", "text": "Yes and no. Just depends on the transaction. Project management in brokerage shops can be sourced from pretty much anyone involved in the building, I.e tenant, developer, GC, etc. Do note it\u2019s mostly on the tenant side. I only mentioned as it\u2019d be a good foot in the door with the developers/owners. Institutional commercial space is leased as a vanilla box with millions of $ in buildout. See below for links to the groups I\u2019m referring to for further reading:\n\nCushman: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-states/services/project-development-services\n\nCBRE: https://www.cbre.com/real-estate-services/occupier/project-management\n\nAlthough not completely inline with what you want, these roles have great comp and are a foot in the door. Acquisitions/development analysis roles at an investment shop are going to be very heavy finance based and are often split into individual property sectors with a very strong emphasis on the ability to model the future cash flows of a potential projects business plan in excel (Argus + excel for industrial, retail, office). A great and affordable program to get started for that tract would be REFM to put on your resume. \n\nDisclaimer: Taking an analyst role at a developer or investment manager as an engineer could be a pay cut in the beginning, but long term is very lucrative once you get to associate and above. The buy/development side of CRE places a huge emphasis on deal experience (putting a $ number on your resume of the deals you\u2019ve underwritten), since real estate is not really a science and is analyzed by market, asset class (office,MF, retail, etc.), product type (A,B,C), and position in the capital stack.", "replies": [{"id": "h2dua0y", "text": "To further add- As far as reaching out to people in the game, definitely go for it via LinkedIn, email, etc. Almost everyone in the CRE community outside of property managers is compensated via 100% commission on the brokerage and debt side or heavily bonus/carried interest on the development/investment/asset management side. I only say that to emphasize that these people are production-oriented and their ability to put meat on the table is strongly influenced by being all-in on real estate and making connections. You\u2019ll certainly get ghosted a lot, but will find people that will want to talk to you- just be prepared to talk to them and not be like \u201cI love real estate\u201d or talk out of your ass. Definitely learned that the hard way in some interviews right out of college", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]