Recent graduate trying to be a CRE Analyst - Career path and advice
I recently graduated with a double major in finance and real estate and have been seeking out analyst jobs with no success. Most ‘entry level’ analyst jobs are seeking out three years experience. 

Any advice on career paths to be eventually be a CRE analyst, or where to start and advice would be very helpful. 

I was also looking into potentially getting Argus certified as I did a couple projects with that during my time in school, and they pushed that on us pretty heavily. I also have heard mixed things about how companies do not really use it... Was looking into taking the Breaking Into Wall Street RE modeling course potentially as well. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. 

Thank you!
[{"id": "e7ecne5", "text": "Assuming you're strong in excel, I'd still stick with the Argus.  ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e7ecw59", "text": "The industry absolutely hires fresh out out of school kids. These opportunities exist in lending, brokerage, investment sales, appraisal, capital markets, development, private equity etc. Think about it- this is an industry where grad school is not a necessity, so of course college graduates are hired out of school and then groomed from within. Entry level analysts positions typically go to college graduates (though you also have MSRE graduates nowadays competing for these jobs) with a couple of RE specific internships under their belt. The three analysts we hired last year were college graduates but had interned for CBRE, HFF and Eastdill in their freshman, sophomore and junior year summers. Argus cert is not necessary but it can be a nice talking point- imo, if you can say that you have previous experience with Argus, that is more than enough. Become proficient in excel, take REFM courses and most importantly, once you apply to places online, try reaching out to alumni through linkedin, set up a coffee chat or a phone conversation, demonstrate interest and also pick their brains and learn more about their jobs and the firms, that will increase your chance of getting an interview. I have been there, trust me, I can relate and I know its not easy- there are way more applicants for the entry level analyst jobs than there are actual jobs, so keep doing what you are doing and good things will happen to those that dont give up. Good luck!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e7ecyfz", "text": "My biggest piece of advice is to network.  Hit up CRE alums from your school, go to events held by the various organizations (ULI, NAIOP, ICSC, etc.), or randomly contact people in the industry who you think are interesting and set up informational interviews.  Most of them may not lead to a job, but the point is to get to know as many people as possible and this will ultimately lead you to a job opportunity whether through the companies of these people or through others they might know.\n\nI don't know much about the Argus certification.  If you have working knowledge of Argus, put it on your resume.  I think it goes far.  I personally also like candidates who have taken one of the Wall Street modeling courses but I'm not sure how far that gets you with other people.\n\nGood luck.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e7ee9x9", "text": "Apologize for hijacking, but what are CRE Analyst salaries like right now? Let's say for the Southern region, particularly Texas.", "replies": [{"id": "e7el985", "text": "Buddy just secured a gig somewhere around the 40k mark.", "replies": [{"id": "e7elu7w", "text": "What about MBA's?", "replies": [{"id": "e7emta7", "text": "I'm not sure, I think it would depend on what area you're going into.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}, {"id": "e7ep9wr", "text": "RE does not really reward MBA's the same way Investment Banking or Consultancy does. You will have a MSRE, MBA and a college graduate all competing for an analyst position. The college graduate is not at that much of a disadvantage especially if the person has two or three internships under their belt. \n\nSalaries in NY/LA/SF\n\nAnalyst-60-80K\n\nAssociate-80-100k\n\nVP-100k+\n\nFor smaller markets, reduce the above by 10-15K. However, keep in mind, the above are base pays and I am only including salaried jobs- lending, private equity, etc. Hard to quantify brokerage. The  bonuses on top of the base pay are pretty sweet depending on the firm. I know several development analysts getting 0.5% equity on every deal. ", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "e7s8js5", "text": "I was offered one right out of college they are around 40-50k I\u2019d say. ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e7z0znv", "text": "if they want 3yrs experience it's b/c they don't want to train you, and that they will prob pay you more.\n\ni don't really see how getting argus certified or taking a BIWS course circumvents real deal underwriting for 3yrs.\n\ni thought BIWS was about underwriting real estate stocks (REITs) not properties.\n\ni haven't seen the REFM courses.\n\nmaybe with a bigger firm those certs are weed-out type checkboxes or something.\n\nthere have GOT to be openings at one of the bigger brokerages looking for analysts. they usually have steady, recurring job postings and are always interviewing people. the RMs do this and screen candidates that they will then refer to agents as needed. this is in addition to the normal \"team-level\" recruiting. but if you can get to the head folks at the local HFF, CBRE, C&amp;W and M&amp;M offices, you'll almost certainly get an interview. the bar is really low at that stage.\n\nlots of people make a big deal about \"building a model\" or \"being awesome at excel\" but my personal take is that it's way more important to understand how to underwrite deals than it is to know how to use index/match. the truly difficult problems in real estate underwriting are not solved by being an excel wizard. especially these days, with lots of other options out there. argus, pre-built models/templates, online underwriting tools, SaaS platforms, etc.\n\nand remember, argus ONLY matters for multi-tenant leased deals (office, retail, industrial, etc).\n\nNOBODY uses argus for multifamily, hospitality, student housing, self storage, development, etc...", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e9gaa2w", "text": "Another avenue to pursue is home building.  I have 2 analysts working for me in land acquisition.  Bit less glamorous than the commercial side but the work is steady.  ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]