Rant: Why is it so hard to break into a non-sales career in commercial real estate?
i mean, even junior-sounding positions "require" 2-3 years experience. 

maybe it is b/c i am based in the NYC region, but goddamn this is getting frustrating. 

anyone have any leads? 
[{"id": "cqg27eb", "text": "I'm in the same boat. I've been searching for months and my leads are *just* beginning to warm up.\n\nIt's pretty competitive out there. I might have to end up taking an internship with the hope that I'll be hired full-time afterwards.", "replies": [{"id": "cqg29gb", "text": "best of luck bro. im not that flexible :(", "replies": [{"id": "cqg2ghu", "text": "Good luck to you as well. We're going to find jobs as long as we keep moving forward with our networking and applications every day.\n\nI went two months without a single call back, and then I got five this past week. Just don't forget to realize your progress, even when you're not getting calls back every day. Just keep moving forward and pounding down doors. And don't forget to take a few hours with your friends and have a beer at least twice a week. We're all gonna make it.", "replies": [{"id": "cqg2kr5", "text": "may i ask what types of roles you're looking for?\n\ni really want to learn argus and beef up my excel skills so i am hoping to find SOME sort of analyst gig. \n\ni am also looking at tenant-side real estate, working for a retailer helping them research and pick locations. ", "replies": [{"id": "cqg2tt7", "text": "Sure thing. I'm looking for an analyst role in a capital markets specialty, *hopefully* debt &amp; structured finance if I can pull it off. I'm really fascinated with JV equity and the big shiny debt transactions and investment sales. My dream firm currently is HFF, with Eastdil Secured being my dream firm in which to begin production someday.\n\nArgus is difficult to learn. Not because it's a difficult program, because it's freaking expensive as hell and I can't afford a license. Sucks.\n\nI don't really know anything about tenant rep or leasing brokerage in general. You may want to pursue any position with the title \"research analyst\". I know CBRE hires a lot of these guys. Or maybe search for the titles \"valuation analyst\" or \"research analyst\" or \"production support analyst\". That'll give you a pretty broad exposure.", "replies": [{"id": "cqggexx", "text": "So I was in your boat for the past 9 months or so and just recently secured a buy-side job at a life-co. a couple weeks back.\nRegarding your specific frustrations - here are w couple tips...\n-sign up for real estate classes through a university as an in matriculated student, this will give you access to teachers, case-study's, and possible other students in the field.\n-also, look on Amazon for a textbook that has an argus disc. This way you can at least learn through doing some examples and show that you are familiar with the program\n-there are also classes on udemy or a university open courseware that cover real estate topics- take these as you will learn a ton but also feel more confident in your networking meetings and will be able to show initiative..\n-lastly, as for networking, one thing I found useful is to always offer to take on some assignment from the person you are talking to - although they may not have. A job opening, I am sure there is something in there day-to-day that they would like to get around to and this will give you the opportunity to establish a working relationship over just a networking relationship...\nPlease feel free to PM me with anything, good luck - just know that it is VERY fulfilling once you actually land the gig and can sit back and reflect on this struggle while doing exactly what you want to do ", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqi2ap7", "text": "Come to Texas, mainly Dallas or Houston, better chance here.\n\nWhat are your qualifications?", "replies": [{"id": "cqj34wx", "text": "honestly, i don't have any real estate experience. i am decent with excel and have a solid working background, but in a different field. ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqi6gcr", "text": "My two cents as a broker...\n\nBrokerage firms like to hire  brokers because they bring in money. Simple as that. If you are applying for a entry level salaried job with no intention of transitioning into brokerage, you might be looked over. I would view an analyst position as a stepping  stone into brokerage. Brokerage can then be a stepping stone into a different type of CRE job. \n\nThis is assuming you are applying at brokerage firms and not holding companies, etc. \n\n\n\n ", "replies": [{"id": "cqj342u", "text": "no, i have 0 interest in brokerage. ", "replies": [{"id": "cqj5dvw", "text": "Yea, I understand that, just explaining why you're probably having a hard time.\n\nMost of the site selection people I know were either brokers at one point or already worked at the company and were promoted into that position. \n\nWithout tenant rep experience, which is acquired through brokerage, I can't imagine that you would have much luck getting a gig like that. ", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqi8oob", "text": "Closest lead was an equity research position researching REITS. I took an internship with the regional office of a huge REIT last summer expecting to get a job, but then they didn't have anything to offer due to a tight budget. Long story short I took an unrelated job at a real estate startup, quit 6 months later and now I'm in the same boat.\n\nTime to start hitting up those networking events again! ", "replies": [{"id": "cqj33qs", "text": "keep on keepin on", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqme9lf", "text": "What is your degree in?", "replies": [{"id": "cqmj96m", "text": "Just basic business", "replies": [{"id": "cqmlyht", "text": "Yeah, most guys I know in research or analyst positions have either a bachelors in finance, accounting, or economics, and almost all of them have masters degrees, so it may be tough to find something.  ", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqpiccf", "text": "I recently got an internship with a capital markets and advisory firm. We specialized in providing debt and equity along with working with the special servicers. Im currently in college but graduating next year and our CEO has told me multiple times that they will be hiring interns for new positions as the company grows. The firm is relatively new so I'm excited to see what it has to offer in the future", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqr56kc", "text": "Anecdotally it seems like there are not many people in their 20s working on the institutional buy-side. There is a good chance that the recession had something to do with this. Here are a few of my theories.\n1) Many larger real estate firms are still smaller now than they were at the top of the market in 2007 in terms of AUM. Also, many are focusing on larger assets, which take fewer people to maintain.\n2) A lot of firms prior 2007 had two people doing the job of one person (or they were doing unnecessary work).  Now that the bottom line is thinner, they are less interested in expanding.\n3) The young people who stayed (usually because they were not laid off during the recession), became really good at their jobs. This means there were fewer reasons to hire more people.  \n\nMy 2\u00a2: Either look nationally or broaden your idea of what a 'non-sales' career is (e.g. look at research shops like co-star; look into non-profits like crefc).", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cqv6247", "text": "Have you looked into opportunities with commercial real estate appraisal shops?  There can be a fair amount of turnover there, and you might find opportunities to start as an analyst. It can be a good place to learn the industry and terminology, and many make a long-term career there, while others are able to transition to real estate banking, development and other areas with the background.\n\nOutside of appraisal, this company is always hiring research analysts it seems - not sure how it is to work there, but they are growing and have become something of a market leader in providing market data to the industry.\nhttp://www.costargroup.com/careers\n", "replies": [{"id": "cqv8dq9", "text": "Thanks a ton. Looked into Costar years ago and according to Glass door it was a pretty crummy place to work.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]