What are realistic jobs in CRE for Finance grads fresh out of college?
I graduated from college in May and I am having trouble finding a job in CRE. I think when I started applying for jobs I was being a little unrealistic and applying to jobs that MBAs were likely to get over me like asset management. What kinda jobs are realistic for recent college grads? What was your first job in CRE and were you able to climb up?
[{"id": "euv23gp", "text": "I worked the front desk of the property management office.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "euwe6fl", "text": "You should be able to find entry level analyst roles. Those are typically aplenty. If you're willing to not make any money for awhile, get your license and go work under a broker.", "replies": [{"id": "euwrt50", "text": "I\u2019m in the same situation. The majority of analyst roles want MBA\u2019s and/or previous experience.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "euwn9q9", "text": "Property Management- look for MF groups like Pinnacle, Lincoln, Greystar, Alliance, ZRS; Self Performers like Cortland, AMLI, Equity Residential, Post, Gables/Clarion; Commercial groups like JLL, CBRE, NKF. They'll have onsite positions, but most of them will also have analyst roles available in the corporate offices.", "replies": [{"id": "euwskhe", "text": "I\u2019ve found that most large property management companies want direct experience in leasing or property management. Even for entry level leasing assistant jobs. I\u2019ve yet to find an assistant pm role that doesn\u2019t require 2+ years of experience.", "replies": [{"id": "eux8paw", "text": "Exactly. Even the assistant property management positions want 2+ years.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "euxb33a", "text": "Really? We hire people as leasing agents with no experience all the time. APM/PM jobs DO require a little bit of experience. Those roles directly manage people, as well as the P&amp;L of the property. It's important to learn the ropes of managing an institutional MF asset before you jump into one of those positions, or you'll be set up to fail. Having said that, there's a huge shortage of leasing professionals and we find that anyone with a customer service or marketing background can be a good fit. We've had lots of people move from leasing to APM in a year or two, sometimes less if they're really strong. We've also moved on-site team members to the corporate offices with regularity. The important thing in those roles is to speak up and ask for more work, apply inter-company to roles that interest you, and to let your manager (and regional) know that you ultimately want to make RPM someday. People who speak up are usually the ones who get promoted. RPM is about one of the only roles I can think of where you can make six figures without a college degree. The others being the trades (elevators, masons, electricians, plumbers, HVAC)", "replies": [{"id": "euxd950", "text": "Thanks for the tips! Very helpful!", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "euws4q7", "text": "You could check out commercial banking. Commercial lending/underwriting?", "replies": [{"id": "eve6gyn", "text": "Yeah being a credit analyst at any CRE focused bank is a good first step. Then you can do a number of things with that experience because it does pay much.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "euywk1b", "text": "Appraising!  It\u2019s a great job. You may not make a lot for a bit, but by the second year, you can make a very comfortable living...even though you\u2019re still a trainee. It\u2019ll also give you the knowledge you need to advance. ...just don\u2019t do resodential", "replies": [{"id": "eve6xid", "text": "I haven\u2019t seen any appraisal jobs that don\u2019t want ridiculous amounts of direct experience. Most seem to want accounting background also", "replies": [{"id": "evgv9iu", "text": "I didn\u2019t have any CRE or even any RE experience. Just start as an analyst and work on your certification.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ev1172d", "text": "I just graduated with a a finance degree and I got hired on at a big brokerage as a runner/jr broker. Network your ass off", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "evembib", "text": "Network. Real estate is need based hiring so it\u2019s all about being right place right time and following up!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ew2uxxk", "text": "The GSEs are looking for young talent. Solid compensation, free mandatory continuing education, and easy horizontal movement between departments. I\u2019m coming up on the end of my first year at FHLMC in Asset Management, making an unblocked move to underwriting. No complaints yet and other companies love the insider GSE knowledge.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]