Advice for the Youngins of WSO

I'm 23, just graduated and trying to break into CRE capital Markets at a large brokerage shop. I believe being an analyst in a capital markets office at Cushman, JLL, CBRE or a shop similar to those would give a great amount of exposure to investments of different asset classes and give a good foundation for modeling out deals as well.  What should be the focus of someone in this position and what are some potential opportunities down the line. Thanks

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful
Searching12

What should be the focus of someone in this position and what are some potential opportunities down the line. Thanks

Your focus should be networking. That applies to every job in real estate, but particularly at brokerage firms, since networking is quite literally the career. Reaching out to people this week will be slow, as people are either out of the office or working their asses off so that they can be soon, but I would go hard on the cold email game the week between Christmas and New Years and then get ready to go even harder once people are back in the office. Pre-COVID I would recommend trying to grab coffee or lunch, but at this point a phone call is a great idea. You need to secure phone calls, have great conversations, as the person you're talking to who else you should be meeting, and slowly grow that web of communication until you realize that when the person you're speaking with recommends 5 other people, you've already spoken to all 5. 

Potential opportunities are whatever you wish them to be. Starting your career as an analyst at a name brand brokerage shop is incredibly common, allows you to learn the industry and the players in it, and sets you up well for your next step - whatever that step may be. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Honestly, the simple advice to someone in your position is this.... the best job is the one you get offered!

Just get started, you can move up and around, go to grad school, jump, learn more stuff. But you must get into the game, Where/what exactly doesn't matter than much. Just start somewhere.

(FYI, I have sorta adapted this from an response to a question Peter Linnerman did during an interview from like mid 00's while I was in grad school. He said just start, brokerage, appraisal, REIT, investment shop, developer, whatever... all that matters is you get in the game, you can figure out best path/route from there). 

 

redever

(FYI, I have sorta adapted this from an response to a question Peter Linnerman did during an interview from like mid 00's while I was in grad school. He said just start, brokerage, appraisal, REIT, investment shop, developer, whatever... all that matters is you get in the game, you can figure out best path/route from there). 

I can't emphasize this enough. Once you're "in the industry" you no longer have to answer "Why real estate?" Getting in the industry should be the #1 goal for a new grad. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Shoot for the stars so you land on the moon my friend.

Anecodotally, my first real job was at JLL (not even on a deal team) and every interview I have had always asks about the experience/company. Just shows the pull some of these firms have.

Network, practice your technicals, and maintain a steady head while recruiting and you will be just fine.

 

Deserunt dolores sit exercitationem totam rem explicabo. Beatae itaque qui deserunt ipsa unde dolore laudantium. Nostrum earum sequi suscipit inventore esse eligendi eos. Dolor voluptatem dolorem cum sequi deserunt laudantium.

Quasi itaque aut tenetur in. Eos alias in incidunt assumenda ullam enim quia quia. Totam dolor et et delectus. Consectetur similique autem explicabo corrupti sint.

Qui tempore dolorum commodi et eum. Non labore voluptatem adipisci quod. Dolores illum reiciendis tempore voluptas nisi pariatur. Consequatur quia quia et dolores doloremque. Magni culpa sint vel. Placeat dignissimos nam adipisci et. Sed aut non porro qui voluptate.

Voluptatem assumenda illum consequatur et eaque est impedit aperiam. Ut alias labore excepturi ut aut reiciendis id dolorem. Tenetur quia voluptatem soluta ipsum animi. Voluptatem aperiam a ut ut ipsa cumque. Quo enim commodi reiciendis quod quaerat quos neque asperiores. Molestiae sed itaque et quasi ipsum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”