Transitioning into commercial real estate from corporate finance
Hi all, 

I've been working in corporate finance since graduating undergrad 4 years ago and am highly motivated to make the jump to the commercial real estate investment world. For the last year i've been working as a Sr. Financial Analyst in charge of all capital investment analysis for my company's retail division.

The bulk of this retail investment revolves around growing our store portfolio and has allowed me to work closely with our real estate team as we work these transactions (BTS', Ground Leases, and Self Developments).

I know this isn't the most traditional route to starting a career in real estate but was curious if this subreddit has any suggestions for me. I'm working at home in Nashville through June due to coronavirus and have plenty of time on my hands. Would it be worthwhile to get certified in Argus or any other software? I've also found some courses on real estate financial modeling (Break into CRE, Breaking Into Wall Street, etc.), would these be at all useful?

Any and all comments/suggestions are much appreciated!

Thanks!
[{"id": "frdmkpn", "text": "Leverage the relationships you have and let them know you want to make the transition. If you do not already have it, you should work towards getting licensed in your state. Modeling courses are good if you feel like you need help in that area, but an Argus certification isn\u2019t going to land the job. CRE as an industry is largely built on networking and schmoozing. Start playing the game.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "frdx2sj", "text": "If you are a senior financial analyst at a large company (Fortune 500?) you probably wouldn\u2019t have a problem transitioning", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "frdy6kv", "text": "I would work towards a RE license over a software.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "frecxhf", "text": "I was in exactly your shoes in 2010. Four years out of undergrad working in corp finance and wanting to switch to real estate. I ended up going back to school to get my MBA. It allowed me to get some RE internships on my resume and take a bunch of real estate courses. I landed a job as a senior analyst at a developer after graduating. It was not a huge salary bump from pre-MBA, but i proved myself and moved up quickly. Getting an MBA is expensive and not for everyone (I've even advised several people against it in the past), but it worked out well for me in my specific situation.", "replies": [{"id": "fs0e4th", "text": "Thanks for the response! Taking on that much debt for an MBA scares me a lot. Ideally, i'd like to use my current role to jump to a similar senior analyst role with a developer or investment firm. \n\nAnother concern of mine is my undergraduate GPA (3.0). A few coworkers of mine have really pushed Vanderbilt's program, but I'm concerned that my undergraduate grades would be a problem for admissions.", "replies": [{"id": "fs1877i", "text": "I actually went to vandy for my MBA. The 3.0 won't kill you, but you'll need to make it up with a good GMAT and give them a good narrative on the essays. I strongly belive in those GMAT prep courses. I went from a mid-500 on my first practice to a 710 on the real thing. It isn't rocket science, but it forces you to put in the work to prepare and provides some common sense tips to keep in mind for the test.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "frefg8s", "text": "I work in real estate finance (on the debt side). I know plenty of people who started their careers in completely different areas, before moving into CRE. It can easily be done.\n\nIf you are interested in the equity investment side of CRE, an intimate understanding of Argus is crucial and highly respected, particularly in the institutional world. So if you have downtime right now, getting certified in Argus is time very well spent. It will make you you much more marketable, and most large investors use it (many large lenders do as well). It's absolutely imperative that you gain a full undeststanding modeling in Argus and Excel. It won't get you the job alone, but it will help you. Your corporate finance background should actually help as well. But either way, having the modeling skill is mandatory on the investment side.\n\nIf you have the time and money, one option to seriously consider is getting a masters degree from a prominent real estate program. I got a masters from NYU's Schack Institute. It's expensive for sure, but can be useful particularly for people looking to change careers. Perhaps the best part about these types of programs is they give you a valuable network. They give you exposure to the major players, investors, banks, lenders, developers, etc. It's expensive for sure, but something to consider if it makes sense for your situation.\n\nIf you prefer to go straight into the workforce, consider trying to get an entry level job at a major brokerage like JLL (HFF), CBRE, or mortgage banking shops like Northmarq, Grandbridge, etc (there are many smaller shops in Nashville as well). Go spend some time working with investment sales teams, creating offering packages, modeling, etc. It won't pay as well and can be tough, but invaluable experience, and can help get your foot in the door elsewhere once you gain experience.\n\nNetwork, network, network. Go to every single event (even if just virtual right now...). CRE is just a bunch of people doing business with people they like, at the end of the day...\n\nJust a few thoughts. Hope at least some of this helps. Good luck.", "replies": [{"id": "fs0dajh", "text": "&gt; ), CBRE, or mortgage banking shops like Northmarq, Grandbridge, etc (there are many smaller shops in Nashville as well). Go spend some time working with investment sales teams, creating offering packages, modeling, etc. It won't pay as well and can be tough, but invaluable experience, and can help get your foot in the door elsewhere once you gain experience.\n&gt; \n&gt; Network, network, n\n\nThanks so much for the response! I've considered going back for a masters or MBA, but taking on that much debt scares me. My current plan is to spend a few years in a CRE role and re-evaluate MBA/masters when I feel that I am ready for my next role. A few years of industry experience would confirm that this is what I want to make a career out of, as well as distance my graduate application from my lousy 3.04 undergrad GPA.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "frh6wja", "text": "It definitely is possible for you to transition to commercial real estate! I had a liberal arts background and transitioned, and now am working in a firm. Some suggestions : \n\n1.  Network! Use your connections to land a new job \n2.  Get better at Excel. Practice, practice, practice. Build out Asset Management dashboards so you can ace any interview and case study. \n3. Take some financial modeling courses so you can develop your skills. I took some courses at [Top Shelf Academy](https://www.tsmfinancialacademy.com/) and found them very helpful. They also offer private tutoring, so I would check out that resource as well.", "replies": [{"id": "frhd9yg", "text": "Agree with the above.  I\u2019ve also taken the [Top Shelf Academy](http://tsmfinancialacademy.com) classes and they have helped me understand how to model different property types.\n\n [ARGUS](http://altusgroup.com/argus) is a must.  Going through the certification is beneficial if you are going to stick with retail/office/industrial.  Learn it once and you are good (until they switch versions again like they did with DCF to Enterprise).", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fs0cbfc", "text": "&gt; work! Use your connections to land a new job\n&gt; Get better at Excel. Practice, practice, practice. Build out Asset Management dashboards so you can ace any interview and case study.\n&gt; Take some financial modeling courses so you can develop your skills. I took some courses at Top Shelf Ac\n\nThanks for the response! I've set up meetings next week with a few brokers in my network.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]