JLL graduate trainee
Hey guys, just sounding out. Need some advice.

I have almost a year of experience fresh out of university, but my current company is a really terrible place and I am extremely unhappy here, thus I am hoping to leave as soon as possible. 

I come from a finance background, but I'm interested in real estate investments and hope to eventually end up in REPE one day. I am in South East Asia.

The JLL graduate trainee allows you to rotate 4x6 months rotation in different departments. Yes it does sound attractive, but the salary is about 13.6% lower than my current salary and it is non negotiable. Would you guys take a lower salary than your current one to take this role? It sounds retarded to me that I have to take a pay cut in my first year experience, but it is what it is. I pledged to myself that I would quit my company at the very first chance I got, but now that it's here and I have to take a pay cut, I just.. :(

Do you see value in this role, does it bring prestige, or is it just a 2 year long internship? According to hearsay, there's no payraise for the 2 years of the rotation program. It sounds terrible but from a long term perspective, I still see some value. And I have no alternatives..
[{"id": "en6xn7p", "text": "If you want to be in real estate investment brokerage, yes you should take it. Yes, it is good experience, and yes, it is a two year internship. Whether you take this experience or not, your first few years are probably going to feel like an internship anyway. \n\nAlmost everyone in commercial real estate brokerage took a pay cut to get into it, because for most brokers, the starting salary is $0.\n\nAlso:\n\n&gt;It sounds retarded to me\n\nYikes.", "replies": [{"id": "en702dt", "text": "Thanks for the advice. If you could only rotate in 3/4 departments, and its likely that you will get converted at your last rotation, how would you strategize it such that you end up with Capital Markets/Hotels? What would you choose among these 4 options?\n\n \n\n* Lasalle\n* Capital Markets\u200b\n* Consulting\n* Energy &amp; Sustainability\n* Integrated Facilities Management\n* Leasing Services\n* Marketing\n* Project and Development Services\n* Property &amp; Asset Management\n* Research and Consulting\n* Strategic Consulting \n* Tenant Representation\n* Transaction Management\n* Valuation and Advisory", "replies": [{"id": "en8hoz8", "text": "What is your background in hotels?", "replies": [{"id": "en8ihzk", "text": "I have no experience in that area", "replies": [{"id": "en8j5zn", "text": "It sounds like you need more experience before you could possibly select a specialization.  Stick to general categories that give you the most exposure to a variety of things.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "en9hohg", "text": "You will basically need to make 2 jumps...one into brokerage and the second into PE.   My 2 cents would be to to do property management,  research, valuation and capital markets.  Just know that you need real world experience to get into PE.  Get the experience, do some deals and jump over to PE if that\u2019s what your goal is. \n\nYou will learn a little about everything in brokerage, but not enough to know what you\u2019re talking about.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "en9ks6z", "text": "Would advise LaSalle given that it\u2019s there investment offshoot, capital markets obviously if that\u2019s your interest and research because you will learn a lot about different markets and some of the fundamentals that are relevant regardless of geographic market. Research is a good starting point for anyone starting out and JLLs research is particularly outstanding as are the top brokerage shops. \n\nAlso to answer your previous questions, 100% yes I would take the pay cut because it sounds to be a tremendous experience for you both personally and professionally and could lead to more money down the line. Also a bit of a cliche but you are certainly going to be more productive if you enjoy your work and feel appreciated by your employer. I can speak from experience in saying JLLs culture is incredible and very attractive for people at all stages in their career but especially young people. It will set the standard of what you look for in a company culture. Best of luck. If you can say, what office would you be located in for JLL?", "replies": [{"id": "en9tsva", "text": "Thanks for your advice. It IS aligned with what I want to do. For someone with my background LaSalle and Cap Markets is the obvious choices, then again, it is also the most competitive... being an analyst, I also see research as a good fit. However, I have heard people mention to avoid Research instead as it's seen as a cost center and not much value add in the sale process. Some people recommend office leasing and tenant representation. What are your thoughts on those? \n\nCulture is something I really look for as well. Having had a bad working experience, it's no longer a buzzword to me lol\n\n\nUnfortunately the program is only going to be offered to about 10ish people in my location so if I give that away it'll narrow it down too much, hope you understand.", "replies": [{"id": "en9yyyx", "text": "Absolutely understand! I would say of the other options, tenant rep is a great option and will help you learn about another core business of the company. IMO, I prefer over leasing. But that\u2019s just me! I hope you land the gig and rotation of your choice! Even if you end up in a rotation or two that isn\u2019t your top choice... go into it with an open mind...learn as much as possible and give it your all. You never know how much it could help and benefit you down the line! \n\nBest of luck! I really think you are making a great decision pursuing the position at JLL whether you choose to take it or not. Always good to keep your options open", "replies": [], "depth": 5}, {"id": "enmjv68", "text": "I think people say avoid research as a career because it is easy to get stuck. If it\u2019s a rotational program research would be a good way to learn\n\nLeasing will help you get to know a market very well and understand what tenants are looking for", "replies": [{"id": "enn69b7", "text": "If the end goal is investment sales at hotels (I find hotels the most interesting asset class), and assuming you would do 2 rotations before that - what would you strategically choose?", "replies": [{"id": "enn6hht", "text": "I think deciding you want hotels already is a poor choice.  Keep an open mind moving forward.\n\nBut La Salle and capital markets", "replies": [{"id": "enn6zl2", "text": "Ill keep an open mind, im someone who likes to explore and try new things.\n\nUnfortunately I'm also someone who likes to prepare beforehand and plan a strategy to go forward with. It's a comfort thing. So it's sort of like planning a skeletal plan based on whatever bits and pieces of incomplete information I have at the moment, but open to change.\n\nThanks for indulging.\n\nWhat about you, what is your background?", "replies": [{"id": "eo13rp8", "text": "Investment sales analyst -&gt; developer", "replies": [], "depth": 9}], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "en93jyw", "text": "Look at it over 5 years. Do you think you'll be making more money in 5 years if you complete the internship than if you stayed in your current position? My opinion is that experience is more valuable than money when you're first starting out.", "replies": [{"id": "enbte3r", "text": "Thanks for your advice. You rightfully have a point. Thinking long term is the right thing to do. Gotta keep reminding myself that.\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nJust got the call, heading down for the final interview end of this week with the regional CEO.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "en9ldjg", "text": "I work for one of the big 3, and I can tell you right away that you are already in a privileged position to even get paid for 2 years in order to learn the business. In CRE you can't be shortsighted or you will not make it.\n\nMost NEW and SUCCESFUL brokers I've known in the past 10 years go in with 0 pay and dealt with a lot of stress and hardships the first 1-2 years to taking home 7 digits on commissions.\n\nThe best advice I can give you it's, be a team player.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "enwiguq", "text": "If anyone is interested, I have an update - Received the offer and managed to negotiate a pay that was about 5% higher than what I have currently. Turns out it isn't non-negotiable after all. \n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nVery happy and excited to join the CRE community.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]