What kind of positions can an upcoming graduate student take?
I'm graduating with a degree in geology from a relatively unknown state school. I've read Mergers and Inquisitions and scoured the Internet on sites like Wall Street Journal, but I always feel like breaking into CRE is somewhat nebulous. I know networking, sure. MBA as a career reset after working, sure. But what can someone do to posture themselves or put themselves in the right direction? 

Would working at a local firm be a good idea? Cold-calling and asking if I can shadow them? 
[{"id": "cm9cbku", "text": "i don't know much about this field, but would somehow working as a geologist and making good salary in the oil field for a decade or half be on this track?", "replies": [{"id": "cm9cfsa", "text": "Becoming a geologist is a different track..need MS degree and then internship with a major.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cm9feyi", "text": "There are all sorts of jobs to target, but with out working in the industry it's hard to tell what you might like. You can sell, market, build/develop, buy/invest, consult, etc. For a guy just starting I'd recommend going to a national CRE brokerage and just talking to a manager there. Brokerage is a sales job where typically 100% of income is from commission, so they're often times willing to teach you if they see something in you. You'd learn the most about the industry in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money doing this. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cm9ivu2", "text": "you need to get hired by someone who is successful and genuinely interested in your success. it ain't easy\n", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cmhhsz6", "text": "Actually I believe the barriers of entry to CRE are quite low. Anyone can get their Brokers license (which I suggest is one of the first things you do), but once attained, you really just need to be a shark and outwork your competition. If you want to learn the CRE finance side (you should), ARGUS is the main financial software program used throughout the industry. You can take classes/get certified via online programs.\n\nI just graduated myself (with a finance degree) and opting to get into the analytical side of CRE first, attaining my brokers license as I work my first analyst position, and networking. I like the idea of getting my MBA or MS in RE, but rather in studying CRE I think its better to be actually doing/living it. I believe it's important to have a 5, 10, and long term plan set for yourself. This includes how you want to see yourself in the industry, the amount of money you want to make (directly related to how hard you work and how many hours you put in), and the people you are dealing with. CRE is all about relationships, and one must be mindful to always have a team in the back of one's mind. You have to meet your RE lawyer, developer, architect, engineer, big money guys (financing), consultants. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]