Breaking into Commercial Real Estate? [Canada Edition (Toronto)]
Hey guys, 

I thought r/financialcareers would have been of help however i've given it a shot in the past and not alot has come out of it. 

Background info: 3 years out of uni, had internship with gov doing billings/managing databases, was involved with my school's investment club. currently a bank teller at a big 5 bank. 

From what i've learned in the past year is that it's near impossible to break in unless you've had relevant internship experience, a degree in real estate or you've networked. I spent last summer networking however I'm not exactly sure how to make a good enough impression to get referred. I've taken the REFM modeling course so I know the basics to CRE. Not too sure how to proceed from here beyond networking more in hopes to get referred.

Thanks in advance for the advice! 
[{"id": "e0ymlkm", "text": "What facet of commercial real estate is your goal? Commercial lending ?", "replies": [{"id": "e0yqxwo", "text": "End goal would be development but current goal is into a brokerage/lending", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e0ypf68", "text": "Brokerage? Development? Financing?", "replies": [{"id": "e0yqyck", "text": "Currently brokerage/financing", "replies": [{"id": "e0ywjhk", "text": "Those are two very different fields, in order to have success pursuing a career in commercial RE you need to have a specific specialty you want to go into (I.e. office tenant rep brokerage). The strategy and opportunities can very greatly.", "replies": [{"id": "e0ywshj", "text": "What is the path with the most transferable skills?", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e0ysmu0", "text": "What worked for me for getting into commercial lending in Toronto was getting into a smaller credit union. Competition for spots is a lot less fierce than the banks, but the training was great since it's a smaller shop and you do more of everything. Meridian, First Ontario, Alterna, DUCA come to mind. ", "replies": [{"id": "e0yt355", "text": "I actually interviewed for DUCA but didn\u2019t make it past the case round. I think it\u2019s because the other candidates were more experienced than me", "replies": [{"id": "e0ywnum", "text": "If you don't mind aiming a bit lower, perhaps try for a Commercial Admin position. Once you're in, make it known you have sights set on lending. I've worked at two CUs now and I saw one person get promoted to an associate lender in less than a year, and another in just over a year. Turnover is very high, so there's always spots opening up, and it's easier to source internally.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e0yudsl", "text": "It\u2019s not that hard.  Just wait until about 2AM and throw a rock through one of the first floor windows.  Then just go in.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e0yxfrm", "text": "Brokerage will give you the widest breadth of knowledge and networking opportunities. You\u2019ll be able to touch and feel every element of commercial RE from sale and leasing, to financing and underwriting. You will also be able to meet lots of folks from all corners of the industry. Brokerage is a great jumping off point for a career.\n\nFinancing is far more specific (obviously) but the skills and knowledge you\u2019ll gain will be highly coveted. By in large the majority of all high level real estate is a math equation so the ability to understand and manipulate financial models etc is crucial. \n", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e1s86el", "text": "Why not do a MRED?", "replies": [{"id": "e1sv20l", "text": "I'd like to explore real estate before investing in a masters. I wanna see if i wanna go down that route for trying for a masters in data science if anything", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]