Online Certifications
Are there any useful online courses/certifications worth doing during the quarantine? Ideally free ones. I'm a college junior with a capital markets internship at a large CRE firm completed and am supposed to work at a REIT this summer (not sure if they're still doing an internship program). Hoping to learn during this period/summer if I'm unable to work because of the virus. Thanks in advance
[{"id": "fnjmsmt", "text": "If you have 1.3k laying around and no Argus experience, the Argus cert would be very helpful if you want to work with institutional capital.\n\nSource: I have no Argus experience and no offers to work with institutional capital.", "replies": [{"id": "fnjpbe1", "text": "Yeah I\u2019d like to learn Argus but unfortunately don\u2019t have that kind of spare change lol", "replies": [{"id": "fnjrn3v", "text": "I've got the same problem haha, best of luck to you", "replies": [{"id": "fnk2seh", "text": "I wish you luck also.  Remember that you can even     \nmake some of you.r luck.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "fnk2fk0", "text": "Write to Argus.  Tell them your interests, including getting Argus experience     \nand certification, but that you can\u2019t afford to while a student and not working.    \nTell them you\u2019d love to do something as great as that while you have virus    \nfree-time available. Can they help?\n\nThat kind of thing has worked for not only me but also for people    \nwho have taken my advice to ask for what they need.\n\nGood luck.  I like how you think: learning while you have free time.", "replies": [{"id": "fnpv8su", "text": "Thanks for the tip. I emailed Argus today and it turns out they're doing a promotion for students right now - full Argus certification package for $300 instead of $1250. cc: u/stc18", "replies": [{"id": "fntfab6", "text": "Hey what did you state in your email to get the package for $300? and is this the email you contacted - [USTraining@argussoftware.com](mailto:USTraining@argussoftware.com) ?", "replies": [{"id": "fntnj73", "text": "I just used the \"contact us\" button on their training website. Basically said I'm a student trying to learn Argus and wasn't able to do it through school. Course is out of my budget, is there anything they can do to help. Looks like the promo runs through July.", "replies": [{"id": "fntss87", "text": "Thank you so much really appreciate it.", "replies": [], "depth": 7}, {"id": "g5ftzgd", "text": "So does this only work if you are currently a student?", "replies": [{"id": "g5g21tm", "text": "No clue, I've only tried it as a student. Shoot them an email from an old .edu address if you have one?", "replies": [], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}, {"id": "fnupvux", "text": "That's the way to go.  You don't have to wait to get good luck.      \nI'm glad you took my advice and made your own luck by asking for the help.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "fnupewv", "text": "Let us know how it goes, whether you try or not.  \n\nSomeone else (posting just below) took my advice and got it for $300 instead of $1250.     \n\nIf $300's still out of your budget, ask for a full scholarship and explain           \nwhy you deserve it and how you expect to benefit from it.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fnjpvsp", "text": "Check out Getsmarter.com - they offer a 6 or 8 week line course from MIT - School of planning and Architecture in CRE. Cost I think is send 2500 dollars but they do reduce if you ask. Also, you get a completion certificate that will look good on your CV too", "replies": [{"id": "fnk2xtq", "text": "Same deal.       \nBasically, ask for a scholarship.      \nGive them reasons why you deserve it.\n\nIf they give you a scholarship, full or partial,      \nask for help with living expenses, if you need that help.\n\nThose who don\u2019t ask, usually don\u2019t get.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fnk6e6u", "text": "You can find a cheaper option at UCLA: https://www.uclaextension.edu/real-estate/real-estate/course/using-argus-and-spreadsheet-programs-commercial-real-estate-analysis\n\nI took this course (at a classroom, but it\u2019s also available remotely). You get an Argus license for\n6 months to practice and then apply for the certificate if you want to. You study based on the manual and with an instructor. It was useful.", "replies": [{"id": "fnmpxd0", "text": "Nice, it looks like their summer session is online too so that's quite helpful. Thank you.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fnk6kcw", "text": "You can try the CRE courses from Justin Kivel at breakintoCRE.com to brush your skills.", "replies": [{"id": "fnmtstj", "text": "Why the downvotes? His courses seem great to me", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fnlebkd", "text": "I\u2019m currently working through the Real Estate Finance &amp; Investments (REFAI) Certification by REFM and love it! They have student discounts too! Link: https://www.getrefm.com/m-refai/", "replies": [{"id": "fnlgtvh", "text": "How are you enjoying that course? Looks like it covers a lot", "replies": [{"id": "fnlnnyt", "text": "I\u2019m about half way through it and it\u2019s really good so far! It\u2019s very comprehensive and covers basically everything related to commercial real estate... financial modelling and analysis, understanding leases, some development, etc. I\u2019d recommend it.", "replies": [{"id": "fnnk9l0", "text": "I\u2019m looking at their syllabus , might pull the trigger in this one to brush up my skills", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fnqgxwr", "text": "\\+1 on this one.. Great course, very thorough and should be a solid cert to have.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fnlx9ps", "text": "For $250 Fitwel Ambassador course is well worth it. It\u2019s a building / space certification lead by CDC and GSA to promote healthy environments. The certification is $6000 for buildings or spaces and awards points for design as well as operational policies that promote hygiene, clean air and healthy food options. I\u2019m in the process of doing it now and it sounds very relevant to anyone in the design/construction/real estate world. For tenants to have a stamp from the CDC (not really but kind of) I think will help ease the minds of employees \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f not sure but I\u2019m willing to give it a try for such a small fee.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fnoyn48", "text": "Argus cert and/or Adventures in CRE Accelerator", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fnp9g0j", "text": "If you will be involved in brokerage, I cannot recommend the **Tim Rios** &amp; **The Lipsey Company** enough. Huge value and will work with your budget. They are currently offering a webinar series that allows you to earn a MICP (Masters in Commercial Property) designation all online. If interest, i'd be happy to make an intro. \n\nBy the way, I am **not** compensated for you attending. I recommend them because they helped me when I got into the industry. Again, **I have no dog in this fight.**", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]