will passing the CFA level I help me break into the financial/research side of CRE?
[{"id": "cfzuio4", "text": "It wouldn't hurt to have something like that on your resume. Might put you ahead of other candidates if all else is equal, but certification in Argus and getting your RE license are much more applicable. If you were to work as an analyst for an owner/operator, however, a CFA would be useful.", "replies": [{"id": "cfzur87", "text": "where can you get a certification in Argus", "replies": [{"id": "cg01bmb", "text": "http://argussoftware.com/en/education/training-dcf.aspx Would be the best place to go. The $1,000 bundle will get you the best value, having a license to do what you need in the program is a great start. If you have any questions you can PM me. ", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cg0f0ss", "text": "CCIM is what you want", "replies": [{"id": "cg0hnad", "text": "briefly googling CCIM, it seems like it takes a long time (2 years?), costs a lot of money for the certification, and you have to pay an annual membership.  I can see why something like this could be really valuable for someone already in the industry, but might be a little premature for someone who hasn't broken into CRE yet?  Not expert at all, so please tell me more.  ", "replies": [{"id": "cg15zt8", "text": "Misread your comment.  Start working on your ccim once you get a job.  There are lots of analyst roles in corporate services.  Look for entry level transaction management roles.", "replies": [{"id": "cg1xezg", "text": "What exactly is transaction management in the CRE sense of the word?", "replies": [{"id": "cg1ya6y", "text": "When a company, let's say Microsoft, has lots of leases around the world they need someone to manage it.  Many companies outsource this to large brokerage firms.  You manage renewals, new leases, negotiations, etc.  basically the middle man between the company and the local broker.  For example, Microsoft wants office space in Chicago, the transaction manager hires a local broker and works to figure out location, size, etc.  the. They analyze the options and present it to Microsoft for the final decision.  Then they negotiate the lease, make sure it complies with the clients standards, etc.", "replies": [{"id": "cg25gcv", "text": "so essentially tenant representation? ", "replies": [{"id": "cg25onp", "text": "No, it's not tenant rep.  The local brokers are the tenant reps.", "replies": [], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cg0hugg", "text": "IMO, its a waste of time and money for CRE. When I see cfa on a resume I assume CRE is not their first choice. Learn modelling and excel. Breaking into wallstreet - biws.com - has relatively cheap courses in RE modelling and excel. \n\nIf you want to break in, find one of the many industry groups in your area, attend events, and make some connections. When I go I always am impressed when I meet students or people from other industries putting themselves out there like that, who want it enough to actually do something about it. \n\nEdit: Many times if there is a charge to attend they'll waive it for students if you call. ", "replies": [{"id": "cg0i456", "text": "That's definitely good advice, but I need more valuable things on my resume.  will a breaking into wallstreet certificate hold any value?\n\n", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "cg0naux", "text": "I've already taken on Financial modeling class through a program at Georgetown.  Just looking for other things", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cg0v5se", "text": "What do you mean about the financial/research side of CRE? There are a number of different jobs/starts you could get - commercial appraiser, commercial salesperson (agent/broker), real estate analyst for an investment firm, property management, commercial lending with a financial institution, and more. What are you thinking?", "replies": [{"id": "cg0w7tw", "text": "ideally an analyst.  I know its easier to break into the broker / property management side of things, but I was hoping with my background as an Econ major and with some experience with financial modeling that I could do something related to that ", "replies": [{"id": "cg0wdbk", "text": "Check with CoStar, RCA, Loopnet (maybe?), REDICO is a good, big firm here in Michigan, do a search for real estate analyst and related terms. Depending on where you live there are probably a bunch of local real estate investment firms. There may be a college course near you related to real estate investment analysis - check with the professors to see what companies they would recommend. Could always get into appraisal... the average age of an appraiser in the U.S. is like 65 or something ridiculous, so there's tons of work out there and very good job security", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cg10g3n", "text": "It can't hurt man. I work as a cre investment sales analyst and I'm taking level I. I think it's a strong career move. I know guys who have built entire careers on the simple fact that they used to be a CPAs. So if you feel like it's worth your time then go do it.  That being said nothing helps you break in faster than an internship, it's a networking business and don't let anybody ever tell you different. ", "replies": [{"id": "cg12b8p", "text": "So I hear.  If you don't mind sharing, did you decide to take level I on your own or did your employer encourage it?", "replies": [{"id": "cg12umf", "text": "Taking it on my own. No matter what you actually wind up doing people respect the letters and know you're not some two bit hack. Not to mention I feel like I am actually gaining pure business knowledge that you can't really get elsewhere. You learn a lot about finance and yourself", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cg5vzqx", "text": "I passed the CFA level 1 and while it was definitely a rewarding learning experience, I have found that unless you plan to get the full charter (pass levels 2 and 3) it does not tremendously distinguish you from the applicant pool. Just 'having it' on your resume will only go so far. Also, unless you plan to apply what you have learned right away in the real world, a lot of it slips away, since there is so much info to retain. However, going for the full charter is definitely worthwhile, and the stuff you learn at all 3 levels is very real-world relevant.   ", "replies": [{"id": "cg63cy9", "text": "Do you work in CRE or Finance?  also, while I get that it may not distinguish me, would you say it puts you at a disadvantage not to have it?", "replies": [{"id": "cg6ajim", "text": "I was in finance for a while and then started my own commercial real estate company. It did bolster my resume a bit to say I had passed it I believe, but it isn't nearly the same as having the full charter, which is like having a highly specified degree and significantly opens doors. I probably would have gotten the job I had prior to starting my company (which led me to start it) had I not had it on my resume, but it will probably get you a few extra interviews on the financial research side of things :)\n\nAs far as it putting you at a disadvantage not to have it, it depends who you are competing against. I think an MBA/MA is more noticeable then merely passing level 1, but also think it would give you a slight edge over a similar resume without that credential. My advice would be that if you are going to commit the time to pass level 1, then go for the whole charter...", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]