Fresh Graduate looking to start career in Commercial Real Estate (Texas)
I just graduated with a BS in Integrated Studies (w/ concentrations in Biology, Real Estate, and Economics) from UNT and wanted to get some advice on what positions I should pursue to enter the market and learn while still making decent money with high future income potential. 

I am in process of getting my Real Estate License because my university didn't offer all the required courses, and I currently have 0 experience and am still fairly uncertain of the entire industry. I am reading and taking notes on Commercial Real Estate for Dummies 2nd Edition in the hopes that I can learn enough to impress interviewers. I am also beginning to reach out to alumni from my school asking them for advice but I want to get additional help from any local Texans who also felt lost in the beginning.

My goal is to make $200k+ per year within 5 years and I would like to begin at around $45k at least but read that a lot of commercial real estate careers start off with little to no money. If you're willing to spend the time to read and respond to this post with advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I am a complete beginner and I have been applying to intern positions and entry level jobs but I feel as if I'm not even qualified to apply. Ideally a position that would specifically train me would be my first job in real estate but I would take almost any job. I regret not being more active during my University life but I was on a different career path which I only changed last year but in that year I still could have done much more, so I would like as much information as I can get. 

Thanks in advanced.
[{"id": "ilhng83", "text": "I'm also in North Texas. I would advise you to research and explore the different sections of the industry to see what you like and dislike. If you want to be a investment sales broker, reach out to some alumni for informational interviews. Commercial Real Estate is a broad industry where each business unit has some level of success. \n\nLook into Investment Sales (property types, markets, etc.), Debt Brokerage, Commercial Lending Analyst positions at banks, property management, development, insurance, etc. There are entry level opportunities everywhere - it is up to you to put in the legwork to research and decide what section of the industry you prefer.", "replies": [{"id": "ilhqxu1", "text": "&gt;Look into Investment Sales (property types, markets, etc.), Debt Brokerage, Commercial Lending Analyst positions at banks, property management\n\nThank you, I'll look into the different sectors in the industry to start then.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilhx49q", "text": "\u201cI have no idea what I\u2019m doing and I want to make 200k in 5 years.\u201d Man, do I have a bridge to sell you. Goodluck with your endeavor\ud83d\ude02", "replies": [{"id": "ilibhg5", "text": "Mighty, where are you from? Ie where do you live?", "replies": [{"id": "ilifpxz", "text": "Houston", "replies": [{"id": "ilikmif", "text": "No wonder you\u2019re bearish", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "iliv4do", "text": "I think 5 years is plenty of time to grow a career, but maybe $200k is optimistic for the time period (Like I said I'm completely new to this industry and I only learned basic real estate laws and standard practices because I switched career paths). Thank you for the good wishes though, I'll definitely need the luck lol", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "ill31ds", "text": "This is doable, hardwork and focusing your resources on the right things.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilic07v", "text": "I did a survey of 30 top performing commercial real estate analysts in N Texas earlier this year. Average age of 26. Average comp of $170k with a range between $90-500k. Your goal is achievable but you\u2019ll probably have to take a risk to hit your near term comp goals. Get trained immediately and outperform your peers by working harder, being in the office more, and breaking down walls to get reps.", "replies": [{"id": "iliczoe", "text": "I\u2019m an analyst, 24, with a $85k salary. On track to be in that range in 2 years. This checks out", "replies": [{"id": "ilikq5d", "text": "Principal or brokerage side?", "replies": [{"id": "ililnfn", "text": "Brokerage. Investment Sales", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "iliwpid", "text": "Ok that's definitely achievable then! Thanks for the info and advice", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilidj7q", "text": "Hey there, I have been an investment sales broker for ten years. I got my job out of college by the luck of a friend recommending me. I had no idea what the industry was about or any of the parallels to it when I got offered and accpeted the job. \n\nI am currently building a product that would greatly help you in your endeavor. I would love to connect with you for purposes of R&amp;D since the product is geared toward someone in your position.", "replies": [{"id": "iliwuyt", "text": "Definitely! I'll message you for more details if you dont mind", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilifa6z", "text": "I graduated from UNT with a finance degree and sort of fell into commercial real estate. Also working in North Texas/DFW.\n\nYou have lots of options in this field. Figuring out what you want to do is probably the most important factor, whether you want to go into brokerage, or work on the debt or equity side, plus deciding if there\u2019s a particular asset type you\u2019re interested in. This could be leasing, investment sales, capital markets, acquisitions, asset management, or originations (to name a few), possibly specializing in multi family, retail, office, industrial, etc.\n\nI can\u2019t speak to which path will get you to $200k+ in 5 years. That\u2019s probably some sort of brokerage or maybe originations. Maybe you can get lucky at a small, lean shop. Any role that you\u2019re making $200k after 5 years is going to a grind. You might consider tempering your expectations, depending on what you want to actually do. For reference, I\u2019ve been working for 6 years and have gone from a $45k total comp to ~$120k total comp, starting in CMBS loan servicing and switching to equity asset management a few years ago, both at an analyst/associate level. Others can feel free to chime in if that\u2019s low, but some recruiters have tossed around a $125-$130k comp for loan asset management roles. I had an offer last year for an asset manager role that I turned down for personal reasons that was about $150k total comp. I never was interested in being in brokerage or a \u201csales\u201d position.\n\nKeep applying! I got my first job through the Eagle Network lol. Shops will take a chance on someone if they show that they\u2019re eager to learn. Consider taking some excel courses to brush up on your modeling too. Work on getting your foot in the door, learn as much as you can, ask questions, and prove you\u2019re worth that kind of salary.", "replies": [{"id": "iliw23n", "text": "&gt;Keep applying! I got my first job through the Eagle Network lol. Shops will take a chance on\n\nThanks for the reply! I will put in as much work as it requires to at least reach the 6-figure range, and anything over is a definite bonus. I just got emailed for an interview with Project Destined so hopefully that will turn out well since it partners with many high level CRE firms. I appreciate the realistic perspective you provide", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "illjdgi", "text": "&gt; Work on getting your foot in the door.\n\nThis is solid advice. It took me months for a legit lending company to take me on as a new mortgage broker.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilir0bf", "text": "Send me a message if you want. I help students from my university\u2019s real estate club with career advice because someone helped me when I was in that position. I\u2019m happy to do the same for you.", "replies": [{"id": "ilixndm", "text": "Thank you, that's really kind of you! Ill make sure to reach out soon", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iljchq4", "text": "Check out ACRE they have a job board and day in the life section. \n\nI\u2019m in Dallas, plenty of UNT grads around. Just find them and have a goal of each contact.", "replies": [{"id": "ilncj0z", "text": "&gt;$200k+ per year within 5 years and I would like to begin at around $45k at least but read that a lot of commercial real estate careers start off with little to no money. If you're willing to spend the time to read and respond to this post with advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I am a complete beginner and I have been applying to intern positions and entry level jobs but I feel as if I'm not even qualified to apply. Ideally a position that would specifically train me would be my first job in real estate but I \n\nThanks Ill check them out", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iljdh9h", "text": "Good place to start is NorthMarq. Good company, lots of exposure. They\u2019ll help you get a foot in the door. Starting of at 50k sounds about right for an entry level role there.", "replies": [{"id": "iljk0gt", "text": "Greetings from a NorthMarq alumnus.  I will second this suggestion as a good starting point.  The NorthMarq Dallas office is the biggest in the country and has some serious heavy hitters on both the debt side and and the investment sales side.  It can be a great place to learn and a great place to grow.\n\nHere is a link to their openings.  As expected there are a number of opening in the Dallas office:\n\n[https://www.northmarq.com/careers/open-positions/](https://www.northmarq.com/careers/open-positions/)", "replies": [{"id": "ilnczot", "text": "Thank you, I'll look into the positions. Im still trying to find out all the paths in CRE as I currently mostly know about the brokerage/analyst side and the development side. I hear debt/investment a lot but Im still unfamiliar with responsibilities of each sector/path and would like to at least understand the basics of each before choosing.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iljyjix", "text": "Sounds like you took Dr John Baen\u2019s courses \u2026 welcome to the club! \n\nNetwork like crazy. Find a company and team that will invest in you.", "replies": [{"id": "ilndbw3", "text": "Yessir, Dr. Baen was an incredible person but I think he tried to teach us real experiences which I had trouble following lol. He is probably still the favorite professor I had cus he was so energetic and experienced.", "replies": [{"id": "ilnh1u7", "text": "As an experienced commercial real estate broker and a fellow UNT grad, I beg you not to buy into the pyramid scheme of eXp. It\u2019s a complete joke and nobody in the industry will take you seriously.", "replies": [{"id": "ilo45m5", "text": "Thanks for the heads up, saw a few alumni in eXp but luckily didn't reach out to them . What's your opinion on Project Destined? I have an interview with them and they seem to have a legit mini internship of ten weeks with major companies", "replies": [{"id": "ilyd7ey", "text": "Invesco Real Estate in Dallas is a lucrative Commercial Real Estate firm that partners with Project Destined in Dallas and New York. I highly recommend Project Destined if you have an opportunity to join. Many students receive offers from the internship and you get exposure to top firms in the country.", "replies": [{"id": "im9xwtw", "text": "That's great news! Fortunately I was accepted into the internship and it begins this September. I hope I can take advantage of that, thanks for the information!", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}, {"id": "im32oze", "text": "I don\u2019t know much about it.\n\nIn my opinion, you need real connections. Call brokers, ask them to lunch or coffee, ask for advise, gain wisdom, show them that you\u2019re willing to hustle.", "replies": [{"id": "im9y7m3", "text": "Thanks! I will continue to reach out to people and hopefully build a good network. I did get accepted to Project Destined so that might lead somewhere if Im lucky", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "j1z1tmc", "text": "If you are a fresh graduate looking to start your career in commercial real estate, here are a few steps you can take to learn more about the industry and gain valuable experience:\r  \n\r  \n1. Start by researching the [basics of commercial real estate](https://www.urecenter.com/resource/How-to-Get-into-Commercial-Real-Estate:-An-Ultimate-Guide-for-Investors-in-2022) online and through [books](https://www.urecenter.com/resource/Top-15-Real-Estate-Books-for-Investors-in-2022:-Gain-Power-and-Knowledge-in-the-Market) or [articles](https://www.urecenter.com/resources). This will give you a good foundation of knowledge about the industry and help you understand the different types of properties, investment strategies, and market trends.\r  \n\r  \n2. Consider joining professional organizations that offer [training](https://www.urecenter.com/#courses), networking opportunities, and access to [industry professionals](https://www.urecenter.com/professionals) who can provide valuable guidance and mentorship.\r  \n\r  \n3. Consider interning or working for a commercial real estate company. This will give you hands-on experience and allow you to learn from professionals who are already established in the industry.\r  \n\r  \n4. Keep learning and stay up to date on industry trends and changes. Commercial real estate is a constantly evolving field, and staying informed will help you stay competitive and make informed decisions in your career.\r  \n\r  \nOverall, the key to starting a successful career in commercial real estate is to educate yourself, seek out opportunities for learning and experience, and stay proactive in your career development. With dedication and hard work, you can build a successful career in this exciting and rewarding industry.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]