Alternative Career Path Recommendations? Currently an CRE Appraisal Trainee Analyst.
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[{"id": "gqb0yh4", "text": "Appraising could be a good segue into development. You already have a lot of the skills necessary. Development has higher risk and higher rewards, you can choose to focus on one geography and avoid travel.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqb10y4", "text": "I\u2019ve been doing it for 16 years so I\u2019m pretty familiar with the business. A 12 hour drive is pretty tough. It might be best to break it up and get a hotel on those long trips and see if you can expense it to the company. As far as fee split, I don\u2019t know the entire situation, your experience, etc but 15% seems low even for a trainee but maybe that varies by region. Feel free to reach out if you need direction.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqb54al", "text": "Ex-trainee Analyst here. Could you move to client side? The work is much more relaxed. Those hours sound crazy.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqbifxt", "text": "I\u2019d try to move to the lending side if I were you.  It would be a natural transition and there are always a lot of opportunities generally available.  Also the pay is usually decent.  Depending on the company, the hours can be pretty intense though.\n\nI did CMBS for five years which led me to a PE acquisition role eventually.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqbjzm9", "text": "Are there any potential opportunities with other firms in your market? I\u2019ve seen plenty of appraisers hop around firms looking for the right fit. Your split is the lowest I\u2019ve heard. For a trainee, I\u2019ve seen 30-40% splits.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqblw89", "text": "Random observations: Think of your coverage (salary to billings) from the view of the firm, unless I'm misreading this they are easily justifying what you are earning at far less than $70k. If you are one of the last analysts standing you must be doing more than a few things right and/or they see a ton of potential in you. Maybe a chat with your boss, and then with senior leadership/owner (if not one in the same), would result in greater short-term money and better quality of life. It's possible that they didn't intend for you to make a 12-hour day trip with messages along the way, or hopefully it's a complete exception. If you want to stay in the role it seems like you might be able to compress the timeline to add the necessary credentials. Is the firm paying for coursework and testing? Do you have a con-compete?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqbnbgj", "text": "I know of investors that used to be appraisers. Like, people that own a large investment firm now. It\u2019s a sought after skill. \n\nI moved from brokerage (sales) to an investment firm doing acquisitions, and absolutely love it. It\u2019s the same thing in many ways yet different. \n\nMaybe look at an underwriting or analyst role? It will lead to many opportunities. Bows a good time to be hired, there is a lot of capital looking to be placed.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqbo45z", "text": "If you like valuation you can apply for valuation analyst roles at asset management firms. It\u2019s a way better lifestyle and a great way to get your foot in the door at big investment firms.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqbr22w", "text": "Sounds like you don't like the shop you're in, not the actual job.\n\nHave you considered looking at other shops before you ditch something you're already invested in?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gqc0wc2", "text": "My firm pays for hotels if the inspection is farther than 4 hours drive. Even will get a rental car for us too. 15% is a little low, but with a draw and OP said a bonus its not too low for someone with no experience. \n\nIf you are working full time then it shouldn't take you more than 3 years to get your CG and you can work towards you MAI all at the same time and it will cut that time down significantly. \n\nI don't know what firm you work for but it sounds like a big national one, and some of them have reputations for working their trainees into the ground. The caveat is that when you get certified and stay with them, then you make lots of money.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]