Career Change - Courses/Certifications/MBA to help me stand out (Denver, CO)
TLDR; which of the options at the bottom of the post will give me the best chance at landing an analyst role? Also, open to all suggestions to get my foot in the door.

As the title eludes to, I'm interested in making a career change. I graduated with a BAA in Marketing and worked in the media planning industry for the past 4+ years. I've been struggling to enjoy my job since entering the workforce, and since COVID hit, we've taken a substantial pay cut while putting in more hours. My office is on the verge of losing our biggest client, and I'm taking this as my queue to pursue other avenues.

Real Estate has always been of interest, and I was considering starting as an agent to learn the industry to start investing in my own properties. However, after talking with local professionals, I decided that wasn't my journey. That's when I realized I'm already self-teaching myself (shoutout to BiggerPockets) the basics of real estate investment and enjoying it. Now, my sights are set on landing an analyst role.

Math has always come easy for me; numbers make sense. I'm proficient with Excel, I've built/modified complicated workbooks. I lack modeling experience. My question is, what courses, certifications, or pursuing an MBA would be most beneficial to make me an attractive applicant? Below are some resources I've found, but I wanted to get the communities recommendations:

[Break into CRE Academy](https://breakintocre.com/break-into-cre-academy-enrollment-page/): seems to be the most bang for your buck.

[Adventures in CRE](https://www.adventuresincre.com/accelerator/): slightly pricier, but another good starting point.

[MBA](https://www.colorado.edu/business/mba/full-time-mba-program/why-program/mba-pathways/mba-pathways-real-estate): caveat is that I don't want to leave Colorado. My significant other is a lawyer, and I love living here. I've read that an MBA not from a top program is essentially useless.
[{"id": "gbxizze", "text": "Put yourself out there as someone that is interested in the field. So many candidates worry about their resume and standing out on a piece of paper. Research all of your local firms and learn about each asset class. You can focus on retail, multi family, office, industrial, land, etc. \n\nBetween now and the beginning of the year will be a slow time and a great opportunity to network virtually or face to face over coffee. I broke into CRE by sending a cold email to the partner in the market. Just asked to meet over coffee. Smart people don\u2019t turn down coffee meetings with people that are eager and smart.", "replies": [{"id": "gbxk6tj", "text": "I appreciate the advice! I've been researching Denver firms, and I am interested in joining a few. They aren't actively hiring. I've added employees on LinkedIn and have had some success with connections, but no responses to messages. Albeit, they are elevator pitches to get a foot in the door, maybe that's too forward? I've seen them look at my page, so I wonder if they see my lack of CRE experience and move on.\n\nWould you recommend continuing to reach out via LinkedIn or send them a personal email asking to share a cup of joe? Again, if I do succeed in a sit-down, how do I show them I have the ability to succeed from day 1? Would you recommend one of the online courses to gain some modeling experience?", "replies": [{"id": "gbz8t39", "text": "Get in their inbox. It\u2019s a different ball game when you send an email. Little harder to ignore. Just ask for coffee to ask questions about the field. \n\nI also have a MS in Real Estate, it helps open doors. But depending on your path, it doesn\u2019t make a difference. For example, on the development side of things it\u2019s helpful. On the brokerage, it varies so much. It\u2019s tough to break in because there are only a handful of good brokers in a busy market that carry the lions share. But they are top earners, well over $500k, at least in my market.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxjeh8", "text": "I dont think either of the first two are going to mean anything to an employer. Id just start looking for jobs as an analyst. They mostly hire kids straight out of college and have them work 60-70 hours for $50k or so a year. And then the one or two each year   \nwho dont burn out and really understand the business get a bump up to a more interesting position.\n\nI used to work at Amstar in Denver and really enjoyed it. Otherwise Forum RE Group takes a lot of new analysts.", "replies": [{"id": "gbxm8pj", "text": "Are you still in the Denver area working in CRE? If so, I'd love to try and connect and chat more about your experiences.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxk4fh", "text": "What teamroam said, but also are you interested in the marketing aspect of real estate?  Commercial real estate would probably love your skill set!  Take a look at the big ones in your market - CBRE, JLL, etc - and look for analyst positions that are also looking for someone to create marketing packages - websites, emails, OMs, market research, that kind of thing.  As an aside that was my favorite thing to do in my previous tenure.  \n\nIn addition to focusing on an asset class, focus on what you want to do.  Leasing, property management, brokerage... the great thing about real estate is the possibilities are quite limitless.  Have fun!  Who knows you might just get on with an organization that will pay for your MBA.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxl6no", "text": "You could go for a Masters of Real Estate or similar degrees instead of an MBA as I think that\u2019d be more applicable.\n\nOtherwise just try and talk yourself into a job. Most people care about experience and track record after the first hire.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxn7df", "text": "I got an MS in Real Estate and Build Environment from DU with a hospitality background. The school got me an internship with a multifamily REIT which lead to landing a job as a development analyst for a big multifamily developer in Denver. 70k in debt successfully career changed at 35. Avoid brokerage if you value quality of life.", "replies": [{"id": "gbybvxq", "text": "PMed you!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "gc1rsc0", "text": "Do you mind expanding on your experience at DU? I\u2019m considering doing that program. Would you recommend it?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxo1ao", "text": "I don't believe that the first two resources you mentioned will help you stand out with a mid-market or larger capital markets/investment sales/commercial leasing team. CCIM, ARGUS certification, or a top-tier inhouse training program might get some recognition. An MBA might be a good long-term play with the right internship.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxvnij", "text": "What is it that you are actually looking to do in commercial real estate?  I am an analyst at a boutique mortgage brokerage firm here in Denver and have been doing it for 4-5 years now.  I did not have any certifications and just a BA in Economics.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbxz4vq", "text": "For real estate where one gets mba is not that important. I am in SFBA next to a top business school in the country. Commercial RE is about people skills, connections. Like every field we have over 100K licensed realtors within 5 counties. There are almost as many brokers as agents. Neither license requires a 4 year degree. Most realtors print their credentials on their business card. MBA, CCIM is most popular.  JD is next. Next building has 1000+ lawyers. Many carry a broker license on the side.  As the commercial business slows down due to high vacancies from Covid leasing agents try to get into residential. In the mean time, residential realtors are more active in commercial.\n\nThere was a fear of layoffs in the tech sector. But it did not happen. Every high tech worker works from home so there is not much desire to work taking real estate as second career this year. Most brokerage offices are also closed as well.", "replies": [{"id": "gbykb8g", "text": "Best comment", "replies": [{"id": "gbyp8bi", "text": "Thanks. West Coast is a total different place. A MD tired of treating patients decided to be a realtor. He used that opportunity to buy and fix.  Of course he gives medical opinion.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gbyf4ft", "text": "Forget the MBA or MS in Real Estate. You need to network like crazy, CRE is about long term relationships. Start building them and figuring out ways to add value to people in the industry (you come from marketing, that could be of value in you conversations). I would definitely pay for the Adventures in CRE Accelerator. It's the best resource out there for learning how to model CRE transactions. You will get a lot of reps and become really proficient.\n\nLastly I would start working on your Sales &amp; Communications skills, you will only be an analyst for so long, eventually you'll need to be able to pitch deals. Real estate is about track record, **doing** is more important than **knowing**.\n\nThe above is my advice and I've been in the CRE financing space for the last 15 years here in San Francisco.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gcea7yo", "text": "I have an MBA from a top program, will confirm that unless you\u2019re coming out of a top 5 it\u2019s useless (oh and if you\u2019re locked into Colorado even more so....) unless you want to work in Wall Street CRE. You\u2019re better networking. Making switch from broker to investor is very difficult unless you get hired as an investment sales or debt capital markets originator. Would skip leasing brokerage entirely if you want to invest, leasing doesn\u2019t really teach you the skill set.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gd5mmyg", "text": "I was a CRE analyst, CRE mortgage broker and lived in Denver for 6 years until recently. Been in CRE for 20 years as an investor and broker. Denver is an old boys club and you'll need to know someone or have analysis experience to get in the door. No BS, it's nearly impossible to get into anything CRE-related in Denver without knowing someone. If you don't get to know someone influential, or with a group that's hiring, the resources you noted won't mean anything. Denver is also a horrible place to invest, that's why I moved. Prices are so high there that returns are about what you'd get in the market. You could look at returns based off of appreciation rather than CF so maybe that'd make a difference. \n\nMBA really won't help you but a master's in real estate might...but only bc of the connections you can make. You'll only make $60,000 to $80,000 so not sure the MRED makes a lot of sense. I can give you the name of a few groups but since we don't know eachother can't let you name drop. I was a member of the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council but nobody cared or probably even knew what it is.", "replies": [{"id": "gdalap9", "text": "I really appreciate the insight! I ended up enrolling in the A.CRE Accelerator to build up my skill set. While I\u2019m honing my modeling skills, I\u2019m also trying to  build up a network.\n\nTbh, it\u2019s been a bitch to get responses, emails or LinkedIn messages. They view my LinkedIn profile, but I\u2019m guessing it\u2019s my advertising/marketing background that turns them off. I\u2019m hoping my Accelerator certificate solves this issue.\n\nI\u2019m going to continue to knock on doors. If anything, they are going to know I\u2019m a persistent SOB.", "replies": [{"id": "gg044t4", "text": "Have you tried sending them follow up messages? 2nd email guilt is real.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gt7wn04", "text": "In my opinion, it's all about being consistent on the phone. You learn in this biz by doing deals and talking to principles. Get in a workplace where you feel comfortable and have a good mentor, that will spend time to teach you the finer things. I think the opportunity cost plus the $$$ of sitting in a class is not worth it. During that time you could have been on the phone and found your first listing.\n\nAlso, not everybody has it. Brokerage firms have historically high turnover because it can take a long time to make your first commission and it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.\n\nAll that being said, you are in the right place. I moved markets from LA to Denver because this is going to be one of the hottest growth markets for decades to come and I wanted a piece. The database and network you build in a small way is like being invested in a market, so start investing sooner than later.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]