I'm studying for the Argus Enterprise Certification exam and career advice
Hi all,

I'm a first year undergraduate trying to break in Commercial Real Estate. Most of the internship programs are specifically for juniors and seniors. Plus, I'm still in a JC getting my GED to transfer to a 4 year University. I have a lot of disadvantages in this regard as well, not until I transfer. 

I am very determined and aggressive though. When I had an interview with HFF and CBRE, they have told me that because of regulations with paperwork and such, it's difficult for them to just hire me part time while in school.

I want to get experience and exposure while I'm in college even though I'm still just a first year, because I want to get the ball rolling when I graduate and be a top performer. What I've done recently other than networking and taking a financial modeling course online, I've also purchased a class training on Argus Enterprise as I hear many analysts use this program in CRE. The angle I'm trying to go for is after getting certified in Argus, I wanted to reach back to HFF or CBRE and propose being hired as an independent employee through a 1099 to work part time and be a supportive roll to their analysts. I think this will be mutually beneficial. I get exposure and they get help with with work for small part time college pay. 

With that in mind, I am studying for the exam. The training was straightforward and Argus seems very simple to me, however, it was brief and I was wondering if somebody can give me some pointers for the exam. The other thing would be what the seasoned professionals in the industry think of my plan of approach.

Thanks.
[{"id": "daidziv", "text": "If your financial situation allows for it, you might want to look for unpaid internships. I did this while in school and even turned one of them into a class credit. Also, it sounds like you want to be at a big firm full time, but don't shy away from the smaller shops when looking for an internship. Experience is experience. Sometimes the internships at smaller companies are more fruitful because you aren't vying for attention alongside full time employees that might have just started. Finally, learning AE is great, but don't get your hopes too high about having that cert. Most people just want to know you have experience in Argus and don't really care if you are certified.  You're so young that I guess the cert course was your only way to experience, but my point is that it doesn't really make you stand out too much. ", "replies": [{"id": "dal9fqd", "text": "Thanks for your insight. Im not picky, frankly, I can't afford doing unpaid internships. I've had that offer before. I haven't considered reaching out to smaller firms simply because I haven't heard of them. Im looking to be a producer at HFF and I'm trying to just get exposure and experience so when I'm out of college I'm more accustomed . ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dakjwrz", "text": "I think you will be just fine in the long run. I will caution that an Argus certification is worthless. As a big wig at JLL told me during an interview: \"well, if you are not using Argus everyday, then you are not experienced in Argus\".\n\nFrom my experience the CBRE's and HFF's of the world are not that flexible with their hiring schedules and positions.\n\nHave you considered reaching out to local/regional firms? It's nice to have a recognizable name on your resume like CBRE, but the hands-on experience and market knowledge you will get with a smaller firm could be more valuable.", "replies": [{"id": "dal98y2", "text": "I haven't considered small firms actually. I haven't heard of many smaller firms in Southern California either. I'd reach out to them if I knew. I reached out to CBRE and HFF through networking. I wouldn't be able to have a chance at an interview if I went through the normal system. Pretty sure the certification doesn't mean much, I'm just tackling at the elangle that not many college students looking to be in CRE are ARGUS certified or experienced. I'm simply looking for exposure, plus it will help me in my classes once I take classes pertaining my major. ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]