I was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding the best way to secure a position in the CRE investment industry if one is an American national studying at a UK university. Even though it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you based on your nationality, everyone does (either explicitly or implicitly). Thus, there are tremendous headwinds trying to secure a role in the UK. Meanwhile, I am not in the US to network and apply to jobs, so it is really difficult to get any traction with your applications.
I am currently an MSc student in London. What do people recommend? Drop out of my course and start pounding the pavement in the US? Finish my degree then move back to the US? Or just try to overcome the visa issues?
Thanks!
p.s. if anyone is wondering why I shot myself in the foot. I am largely in the UK for personal reasons (i.e., girlfriend)...
A friend of mine got her visa sponsored by a Big 4. I can ask her how the process was if you want.
Definitely don't do this
PM - I navigated this process in the last year as an American abroad.
I know that the big4/BBs/Most large firms having a graduate program will sponsor visas.
Feel free to PM me. I had a similar background as an MSc student in London.
@Merchant_of_Debt" & CRESEA - it would actually be pretty interesting for the community if you were to explain your processes / answer questions either here or in your own AMA thread instead of PMs. I know that I, for one, would read it.
I would as well
@CRE' I just typed out a whole detailed story but it didn't get posted. So I will post an abbreviated version of it and answer questions individually.
Essentially, I graduated undergrad in 3 years but wanted to go into academia. My advisers were Urban Economists and I was interested in going the same direction. I ended up applying to a top Master's program in the UK since it was a 1 year program. While there, I didn't network too heavily but ended up getting a summer internship offer at a large REPE group in NY. I declined the offer to focus on my dissertation. None of the big brokerages (CBRE, DTZ, Colliers & others) or REPE shops I ran across were willing to sponsor visas. They would openly inquire during phone interviews about my citizenship status in the EU. After disclosing that I had a US citizenship, they would tell me that it was a non-starter. One firm really liked me and tried to figure out a scheme where i would be officially listed as working in the US office but would work out of the EU office instead. That scheme did not pass through legal/compliance.
My advice would be to network with large BB banks and their RE groups since they seem to be the only RE groups who sponsor visas. If that fails, move back in with family and pound the pavement until you land a job in the US. Most importantly, take advantage of your opportunity abroad to have the most fun humanly possible. It's a golden opportunity.
My situation was somewhat different but can still offer some advice on Visas in the UK as just went through this. It’s tricky right now but doable. A couple of points:
Your goal is a Tier 2 Visa, which is the normal sponsored visa. There are big advantages to switching to this while you have your student status. I can't post links because I am new but the Cambridge Uni International Student site outlines them really well. Basically you are exempt from a bunch of tests, costs and a massive minimum salary requirement.
Your student visa likely has a grace period on the end in order for you to find a job and switch to a Tier 2 Visa (my Tier 4 student visa had 6 months). It is very important to stay in the UK during this grace period, as if you leave, you might be denied entry when you try to get back in. Ultimately it is up to the border guard or whatever they are called here but the visa lawyer at my company advised me to play it safe and not to leave. If you are denied entry, you lose the student status referenced above and sponsorship becomes almost impossible.
Good Luck
Hello, I am a student trying to get into the London real estate market (I already have 2 internships in real estate)
Many thanks!
Have a nice day!
Minima sunt aut non et dignissimos consequatur provident nihil. Officia ut sint quis recusandae harum nostrum alias. Aut enim rerum et odio est aspernatur consectetur. Qui maiores ea quae et et molestiae. Omnis vero consequatur exercitationem ut velit. Nihil quaerat nihil ipsa quisquam omnis ex sunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...