Portland State University undergraduates would like to ask some questions.
Hi there everyone,

We would like to ask a few questions from knowledgeable people in the hopes of furthering our resources. A few of us are having issues getting into the industry. It seems that for most commercial RE there are heavy requirements for the jobs, like bachelors with five years of experience for even lowest finance or office jockey work. I myself am concentrating on finance aspects, while a good portion of my peers have done many different aspects. What low level things are there that we should be more aware of to get us started part time or full time?


As I had said many of us have differing goals and educational focuses. What are the common high draw skills needed for the industry that are lacking? I know a few that are technically inclined, and a couple that are capable of programming simple languages. Others that are wizards with excel, and still others that are adobe geniuses. What do you all think?
For those that aren’t in the degree program and haven’t heard of it, we would like to ask for a good explanation from the industry insiders as to why you should pursue this educational focus. We are working on “up-selling” the degree programs, but actual insiders seem to have a more real feeling to the wording. 

Thank you for your time

**Portland State University** 

Commercial Real Estate Association

*(A student group)*

[{"id": "caydksx", "text": "I think in the real estate industy, what matters more than what you know is who you know. Speaking as an undergrad, I think alumni networking and has helped me far more than my skills in excel or argus or whatever software and tools are used. A student group's best way to help its constituents break into the industry would be to reach out to people already out there and build those connections that matter. I'm fortunate enough to go to a school that already has a formidable network in the industry but I think for a school as big as Portland state, there's bound to be a bunch of alumni happy to help and talk to the students.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cayknm1", "text": "Networking is important as pandotree mentioned. Check into the local real estate organizations, often they will have free events or offer discounted student memberships.\n\nThere are many areas of real estate to go into, so there isn't a one size fits all approach to getting into the industry. Really though, the key is to put the experience you will gain in front of starting salary. Your value as an employee in real estate is not based on your degree in most cases, but on your knowledge of the market and practical skills developed over time doing transactions and learning who the important people are in your field.\n\nExcel is good to know, CoStar/Loopnet experience is helpful as well. You could look for internships or \"analyst\" positions that will help you become familiar with the terminology and comfortable in business meetings and communications. Overall, following up with people and simply being well organized and outgoing are import skills to hone.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "caym1so", "text": "Join ULI. \n\nSet up informational interviews with working professionals in the industries you're interested in.  Then ask the person you spoke with for two other people to speak with.  \n\nBring these questions to Gerry Mildner and/or Julie Gibson. They work in the masters program in specific,  but they'll be happy to answer your questions and pitch the MRED program.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cazzbu1", "text": "Really depends what side of the industry you are looking to get into. Can you elaborate? Each part of the business requires a different skill set and, perhaps more importantly, personality. \n\nThere are a significant amount of barrier to entry in this industry. Namely, in brokerage especially, the fact that you are going to starve for a few years as you develop your pipeline since you are on 100% commission (usually with a draw). I personally started interning with a top firm in a major market after sophomore and junior years. Then \"got in the door\" with a job in the property management business line before finding the right fit on a brokerage team 2 years later.\n", "replies": [{"id": "cb01985", "text": "**@westosterone26** I was writing from a general perspective for the benefit of my peers to stimulate conversation. My goal was to gather information to help my entire organization, and get information collected will assist people in industry entry or upward movement. \n\nBeing more specific to properly address your questions, I will give you some background first. I hold a AAS in Accounting from Portland Community College, and have been taking lots of finance and accounting classes in my coursework from Portland State University. I switched majors from Accounting to RE specifically for the increased possibilities of being hired and retained for some time. Finance for me is fun, along with programming excel and other geeky things I won\u2019t get into. I'm 39 with a varied and interesting past work history, mostly involving technical support in one way or another. \n\nI would like to get my hands wet with a few different sides of RE, and see what fits me best in the long run. \n\n**@i-i-i-iwanttheknife** yes that has been mentioned, however those that want to are broke right now. Those of us lucky enough to have work are compensating for educational gutting of financial aid and raising tuition. We won\u2019t mention rent that seems to be killing everyone I know.\nYes I'm going to be sitting down with Julie here in a day or two to talk about options. We shall see what comes from this meeting, it seems that those on the undergraduate path may have some difficult times trying to finish their degrees. \n\n**@cbarrister** I hear you, we are trying to compile a list of networking events and organizations to belong to. ;) Part of why I'm posting this for my peers to get the information we need. \n\n**@pandotree** very interesting, this goes against what information we have been getting. The importance from the industry when talking to the University and our leaders was the \"lack\" of skilled replacements capable of doing what they want. Very interesting indeed. I will log this information as a possible discussion point when industry representatives come into our next meeting because it directly contradicts the information they were passing us.\n\n**Thank you everyone** who has contributed to the conversation so far! There are no wrong answers, and all information is helpful to someone. Please keep the conversation going!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cb0newi", "text": "Just wanted to respond to your comment re: joining ULI as I am an employee who occasionally posts to this thread.\n\nhttp://www.uli.org/membership/join/\n\nThe student membership is only about $100 per year, and I'm sure you can go to some breakfasts etc for $5 or $10. There are also scholarships for people to attend the spring and fall meetings at the national level.\n\nIt looks like there is a portland happy hour today that costs $20 to go to. I assume you can go if you are under 21:\nhttp://northwest.uli.org/event/ylg-tour-of-savier-street-flats-portland/\n\nBut there's probably meetups that you can go to that are commercial real estate focused for either low or no cost.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cbdqw9n", "text": "I called all the brokerage houses in my area and asked to send a resume to the designated broker. In all, I think I sent about ten resumes out. I had three interviews and went to work in the research department for a brokerage making significantly less than I did parking cars in college. That was in 1999. I is not a huge leap, but I am now a partner in the firm and could not be happier in my choice. \n\nTo answer your question, you need to find out how most people in your region get into the business. In mine, most people start out as \"runners\" working for senior partners. \n\nI hope this helps.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]