New to CRE, changing jobs. Interviewing with RE firms, need understanding
I've been interested in CRE for a while. Just got my sales license on my own time. I currently work in Ops for a medical school and have done some campus and student housing/land acquisitions as well as project management on reno work. ($1 M apartment building acquired, $800k in Reno's over 3 years, 6 acres of land.) I like this stuff a lot and am leaning into it. My background edu is BBA finance and MS in Econ. I am 31. I want to get out of healthcare and into RE FT. I think I like the acquisition, development and also corporate RE part of things- I know a wide range but with little experience it is hard to know. I thought that asset management would be a good thing as well but it seems a bit far from the asset for me and harder to break into. I would do prop mgmt if it got me to asset mgmt.

I am starting to get interviews. One is with one of the largest residential home builders in my state, large corporate presence in many states, 100-250 unit developments mid-tier. The role is that of a land acquisition analyst with an eye to being a manager (so they say). Seems like interesting work and an interesting team. I get the feeling they let a lot of folks go over the last few months so that's a concern.  Seems like this could launch me into development and other interesting avenues. Help me see land, future developments and how to work it. 

Another role is with a large gas/petroleum station doing real estate analysis or deal-making (two roles they are speaking to me on). Seems interesting, but very tight knit group so far. Seems more stable yet  less $ and mobility, doesn't seem like the best firm based on online reviews. I get the feeling I would really like corp RE- being a major asset of many firms but not part of the main biz line- but this is different b/c for gas stations RE is a huge part of the biz. I feel like this could launch me into other corp RE roles. 

I messed around about a year ago and almost got a role in RE with an expanding German based grocer. I did not take it serious and applied on a whim. Got through to the last round and did not get an offer. Kicking myself for my complacency with my current job at the time.

These are way different tracks and though I do not have offers, the interviews have gone well. Does anyone have any idea of how I should be thinking or how you would be thinking? I just want your thoughts and input in general. I feel kind of old to be jumping into an analyst role and would be busting ass to prove myself to get a promo, but I don't have much of an ego and understand I gotta learn the game before I can play. 

 Some of the starting salaries seem to be less or equal to what I make now but I'm on a dead man's ship with us being primarily an international school (bye bye students thanks to Covid) so I need to make a move. 

Any feedback is appreciated.
[{"id": "fyt4teb", "text": "If you are going through the large institutional CRE/RE route as an analyst be ready for a steep learning curve. You'll have to deal with people the same age who have 5+ years of experience. Sometimes that disconnect can be tough to deal with. \n\nLet me give you an example to illustrate what I mean. This guy (35 or 40 yo) joined with prior experience in something totally different but no CRE/RE specific experience. Did an MBA at a top school and joined as an associate in CRE investment sales. Thought he was some hot shit throwing around management consulting lingo and often came off as very condescending/arrogant. He thought his age, experience and MBA would give him an edge and people would respect or listen to him. His attitude was the problem and reality is that he knew fuck all about the business. Didn't listen and took any criticism very personall. Didn't fly well and people hated working with him.\n\nBottom line is: be open to learning a lot and quickly, don't assume you know everything, and be willing to work your ass off. Generally have a good attitude and you should be fine. \n\nI recognize this may not be type of feedback you're looking for but that's what I would suggest given your background. \n\nTo a large extent, real estate is a people business more than anything else.", "replies": [{"id": "fyt9eiq", "text": "Wow a 35 year old with a top MBA going into investment sales just seems odd", "replies": [{"id": "fyte339", "text": "Eastern European bloke. I'm London based. Maybe not so unusual here.", "replies": [{"id": "fytii2i", "text": "Did he know how to use any software besides excel ?", "replies": [{"id": "fytojrf", "text": "That's relevant to real estate? Not that I'm aware of. No one uses Argus in Europe. Excel is likely to be the most complex software if you're underwriting deals.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fytigbh", "text": "This is it! Working blue collar jobs can be very effective in letting you keep your ego in check. I'll be starting the job market ( again) as a 33 year old with a masters and 2 degrees next year . The best advice I ever got was someone telling me your ego will get you fired.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fyt9w6m", "text": "OK. Are you good with a spreadsheet? If so, great, you can be an analyst. But why did you get a sales license then? \n\nSo, if you want to be in sales and make commission, then your knowledge of student housing / medical can be spun as a benefit.  \n\nSo figure out what it is you want to do, and then figure out who you need to work with, and then figure out how to work with those people.", "replies": [{"id": "fytrt41", "text": "To be fair, if he wants to work investment sales at any decent firm he's gonna be put through some form of analyst position first (at the very least the associate broker training 1-2 year program which is just an analyst program with a little more exposure to marketing).", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fywkd28", "text": "Have you thought about looking into local developers/brokers/investors in med office?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]