CBRE/JLL/C&W by Chance. Advice on navigating path?

From banking (4 years), to for-profit international affairs (2 years - Central Americas), to the nonprofit arts rhelm (4 years) the opportunity to join the Capital Markets division at one of the big CRE firms presented itself through my network. Specifically, with a brokerage team tackling institutional office deals.

1.5 years later, the capacity clearly does not graduate into a producer role or anything “executive” which is the only reason I would have ever gone back to a corporate machine. The reason it took 3 quarters to come to that realization is another post.

Looking for guidance and insight on how best to navigate from here.

Late 20’s, business administration major from a small liberal arts college and a community where pedigree is present but by no means boasted (unlike my current workplace). Laugh if you will but any of this “stuff” I’ve not been taught this last year can be teached if the right leadership is in place and the one wanting to learn is hungry (like me). However, my entire career I’ve “self taught myself” much of my skillset but am in a rut in how to approach tools like ARGUS, etc.

Currently I am:

-networking/lunching with other team leads to gather insight and put myself in front of them for future opportunities -networking/lunching with “new CRE friends” I’ve crossed in social circles to gather insight and again put myself in front of them for future opportunities -gathering advise on how to tackle learning ARGUS and valuation modeling -had my title changed to Capital Markets Operations Analyst from Client Services Specialist (aka glorified secretary... NOT client facing. I’m salty about it if you hadn’t noticed) -being very open and reminding my current team about initial importance of path and growth -looking for insight and the opportunity to pick all of WSO’s brain.

Looking forward to all the while bracing myself for your responses,

LuHu

1 Comments
 

Maxime velit dolores ex et mollitia vitae perspiciatis. Qui aut id voluptas sunt. Dignissimos est voluptas quia iste sint. Quibusdam ut iure sunt sed accusamus. Omnis dolore cumque voluptatem dolore.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”