Careers Paths with Flexibility and Compensation Upside
I work as an excel monkey in real estate private equity in a multifamily acquisitions department. My hours are not too bad (50 hours on average), but I feel that I spend too much time in the office. 

I used to think I wanted to work super hard and make shit loads of money, but that path isn’t as exciting to me anymore. Are there any careers that I should look for in real estate that are more chill / more remote work friendly / pay decently? 

I have thought about joining a lifeco and using that salary to fund my own entrepreneurial pursuits. But it sounds like even acquisitions at a lifeco can be demanding. Are there any other paths that my background could help set me up for that better suit my goals?
[{"id": "iy10tvo", "text": "More chill than 50hrs a week?", "replies": [{"id": "iy180oj", "text": "He wants to be a stay at home analyst", "replies": [{"id": "iy1jxi1", "text": "I don\u2019t think that\u2019s entirely accurate. I enjoy having some flexibility to my schedule, that\u2019s all.", "replies": [{"id": "iy1u0eq", "text": "I was joking haha. Wfh is fun, I do think that real estate is so relationship driven that you really want to be in the office to have your career advance.", "replies": [{"id": "iy26ecg", "text": "Ah word, gotchu. Yeah some relationship building is definitely important but you don\u2019t need to be ass in seat all your life to become friends w your coworkers", "replies": [{"id": "iy2ngid", "text": "Fair, but its coworkers, investors who come in, brokers who stop by etc. its overhearing conversations you may not be a part of where new ideas are discussed and being in the room when important decisions are discussed and made. This is the chief drawback of wfh and people have to be honest about it and ok with that.", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "iy1jr37", "text": "50 hour weeks end up being 7:30 to 6:30 door to door. After dinner that leaves me 2.5 hours a night to workout / read / socialize. For some 2.5 hours a day may be all you need to yourself but for me that doesn\u2019t feel like living. \n\nI think it would feel different if there was some flexibility in my schedule or if I was my own boss, but my work schedule is on the more strenuous side for my other high achieving friends (maybe west coast culture is different)", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy11ajv", "text": "Debt brokerage and asset management are typically more chill and can have a lot of upside. Really depends on the shop but in general less strenuous than acquisitions. Also would expect a lifeco to be better as you mentioned.", "replies": [{"id": "iy1869x", "text": "When I was in debt brokerage it was 70+ hours a week. Granted I was an analyst on a top team, buy the hours were crazy.", "replies": [{"id": "iy19w35", "text": "It really depends on the team. I know guys working more like 40 and some working 70+. Same with asset management. There are definitely sweatshops and then more chill ones. Typically the regional firms have more work life balance in my experience.", "replies": [{"id": "iy1j4et", "text": "Super helpful to hear, thank you. I have heard debt brokerage can be tough like surround mentioned, but asset management seems to be more stable (although more boring imo)", "replies": [{"id": "iy23aui", "text": "I think asset management depends on the strategy. A value add deal is typically much more interesting/challenging than a core asset. Ideal asset management gig is a value add discretionary fund managing multiple property types in my mind.", "replies": [{"id": "iy28hfy", "text": "I have this exact gig as an associate AM. It seems like you have some knowledge about CRE career paths. If you don't mind me asking some questions, what does the peak of AM look (in terms of comp and day-to-day work/responsibilities)? What are some \"exit opps\" for someone with, say, 3-5 years of this kind of experience (AM at a value add REPE firm)? If you've worked in AM, what are some concepts or skills that you see as crucial and/or extremely helpful for an asset manager to learn? Thanks!", "replies": [{"id": "iy47qfk", "text": "It sounds like perhaps I\u2019m not that much farther along in my career than you but at my shop, a senior VP/MD level would I guess be the \u201cpeak\u201d leading asset management for an entire firm/fund. Day to day is likely interacting with investors and maybe leading asset management for a few of the most critical investments. Compensation I really have no idea, but they are compensated well. At this level, would expect you have equity in the firm and a share of the promotes so this can vary considerably from year to year and shop.\n\nAs far as exit opps at the associate level, the most typical path is a similar role/VP title at a more \u201cprestigious\u201d/better compensating firm. Or perhaps another shop with a strategy you find more interesting whether that be property type, market, etc.\n\nIf you actually become proficient in executing the business plan, and navigating all the issues that inevitably arise with a value add deal, you\u2019ll have a desirable skill set. Should have a lot of options at that point if you want a switch.", "replies": [], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy1klgk", "text": "Maybe do something in real estate tech, or work for a tech company in their real estate department", "replies": [{"id": "iy1nuqp", "text": "Interesting idea. Tech does have better hours\u2026", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy1ko90", "text": "Commercial Real Estate Lender. Start as an analyst underwriting deals and then transition to sales.\n\nI make $150kish with 20-40% bonus potential. In this role I work my ass off which I enjoy.\n\nHowever I made $100k at a different company working like 10 hours a week. All Emails and phone calls. Shit is so easy it hurts.", "replies": [{"id": "iy1nswy", "text": "Is that typical for lending?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "iy2blxk", "text": "Can I DM you?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy1o5mx", "text": "It\u2019s possible. I work full time remote in CRE (support function, non-tech) and my comp has doubled over the past 3 years and is also about double the median HH income for my metro. Granted I had to prove myself for a few years before they were amenable to permanent WFH, but it can be done. I almost never work over 40 hours a week.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy2xreb", "text": "My LifeCo is chill af. 40 hours a week flat. Office is empty after 5pm. At the smaller LifeCos, they completely rely on brokers to source deals, which means you don\u2019t ever have to produce at the upper levels. Definitely in my plan to jump over there once I\u2019m older and have more experience", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]