General questions and thoughts for a new college grad.
Hey guys! I am about to be a college graduate in May and I have a very large interest in commercial real estate. I currently have a poli sci degree (yikes, I know), and I have a few general questions.

Mainly getting started! 

I have recently sat down with two very successful people and I learned a lot. I know the importance of getting a mentor and how hard this line of work can be especially in the first few years.

One of the men I sat down with told me at the end of our unofficial interview that they were hiring and that I should apply. His firm mainly deals with tenant representation. He said they need young college graduates who can work long hours and bring energy to the job. 

Ok so question. In tenant representation, what would I need before I apply?

Do I need a broker's license?

Should I still take a real estate course?

Am I completely screwed from applying to firms with my limiting resume alone, or am I just going to have to rely on nepotism due to the connections of my parents (how I got those sit downs in the first place)

Sorry for the lengthy post, but any insight would appreciated. 

I am incredibly hungry for this job, I know I can do sales I just want to know the best way to get and keep my foot in the door.

Cheers, thanks for reading.


[{"id": "cpw12gy", "text": "take a real estate finance class if you can.  \n\nA poli sci grad is probably going to struggle a lot in most CRE jobs.  But hey its who you know, not what you know a  lot of the time.  If you have connections to rich folks and businesses that you bring, that will be good enough for most places.", "replies": [{"id": "cpw163f", "text": "I will get right on that. Yeah, I'm not proud about having connections, especially if it means getting ahead of more qualified people, but I'd be a fool not to use them. Also, I don't need a broker's license? Thanks for the response!", "replies": [{"id": "cpw19np", "text": "you need a sales license in most states for what you are describing.  \n\nFor what its worth, tenant rep is probably the easiest to learn without an education in it.    There is much more sales and networking in that than some of the other CRE fields.", "replies": [{"id": "cpw1ci5", "text": "Sounds right up my alley, thanks so much for the information.", "replies": [{"id": "cpw1dlh", "text": "np.  good luck with your adventures ;)", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cpw5wbq", "text": "Poli Sci here, don't worry there are a lot of us. \n\nWhile interviewing that was one of the things the company president suggest I work on, so I did the CCIM 101 program. Bit expensive, but good for your resume. \n\nYeah you will need a license if you want to quote prices and tour buildings (at least in California). Since you have your college degree you do not need the years of on the job experience and you can get your brokers license straight away, but a salesperson license will suffice. \n\nAt least you are honest about the nepotism. As somebody who hustled his ass off and did the best I could to meet people that were able to help me out I am very resentful against the \"broker\" who thinks they are great when all of their clients were handed to them. \n\nGood luck. ", "replies": [{"id": "cqc9yuq", "text": "Thanks for the information, and the reassurance! Glad to know I didn't shoot myself in the foot for my less than relevant major.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cr0w3x7", "text": "I have a poli sci degree and do CRE. Just graduated last May. If you have any questions, shoot me a pm. I'd be happy to help.\n\nOh yeah, forgot to mention, I did take a lot of finance and accounting in college though.\n\nOne thing you should be asking is if they have a structured training schedule and what it entails if so. No need to take a course if this is the case.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]