Career Advice

I’ve been reading WSO CRE section for awhile now and this is my first post.

A little background about myself. I have a business degree from a no name school and got lucky finding a job in an engineering firm through family connections (mostly electrical and mechanical engineering) I couldn’t see myself advancing because I don’t have an engineering degree unlike my peers and I could see others look down on or envy me when they found out I didn’t have an engineering degree and got this geek. I got promoted still though for some weird reasons. I stayed in engineering for about 6 years and jumped to CRE after saving roughly 150k in the bank and personal investments.

After quitting engineering, I’ve been in a small firm as an investment associate for about 2 years and have done handful of deals so far. First one being a 9m industrial building in LA, CA. My cut was very small (like 10%) but it was a very good experience nonetheless. However, the money is getting tighter and a lot of deals fell through during covid. I’m feel like I’m still trying to build my pipeline.

I can’t see myself being in the brokerage forever because I’m an introvert for the most part. Ideally, I’d like to be in REPE or investment side in Orange County, CA since I live in Irvine but I don’t mind getting into development since that’s what peaked my interest into CRE in the first place from meetings with developers while I was working at engineering firms.

I’ve been applying for REPE/Investment jobs but I didn’t even make the first round. Maybe it’s because I’m still in school getting an MBA in finance from a upper 2nd tier university (one more year left).

I feel pretty behind but I know comparing myself to others won’t help.

I recently got an offer as a project engineer at one of the old engineering firms I used to work for. I’ll be making about 100k. I feel like I’d be going backwards if I take it if I want to be in the investment side.

I’m sorry if I’m rambling but my questions are,

Should I stick it out in brokerage and finish my MBA to get jobs in REPE and investment?

What are the chances of me getting one of those jobs after my MBA?

Would taking that project engineer role hinder my future chances of getting back into CRE?